Jodie Henry Wins Gold in 100 Free, Inky takes Silver, Coughlin Grabs Bronze.

Stephen J. Thomas

ATHENS, August 19. AUSSIE Jodie Henry took the mantle of Queen of the Pool when she produced her signature powerful back half to power home to win the gold in the 100 meter freestyle in 53.84 seconds. Henry became the first Aussie woman to win the two-lap dash since the great Dawn Fraser did it three times in a row from 1956 to ‘64.

The reigning champ, Holland’s Inge de Bruijn, was not going to give up without a real fight and just as she had in their semifinal last night, she went out in a very fast 26.12. The USA’s Natalie Coughlin was in second place in 26.21 with Henry languishing in fifth at 26.38.

As the race unfolded, 20-year-old Henry was just too strong for any of her opponents tonight. To her credit, the almost 31-year-old Inky held tough to touch in 54.16 ahead of American record-holder Coughlin (54.40.

Frenchwoman Malia Metella finished fourth just outside her NR in 54.50 while 18-year-old American Kara Lynn Joyce was next in 54.54.

Jodie Henry said of her race, "I didn't feel as good as I did last night but I came away with a win so I'm preety happy." Back in 200 I just missed the team, I was amazing watxhing the Aussie team and I thought to myself I'd love to be there on day and here I am … I never thought it would happen like this."

Inge de Bruijn said of her performance, "I'm happy with the silver but not with the time it just didn't work out. "I don't believe winning two silver medals is a failure quite to the contrary." de Bruijn was very gracious in defeat much like her teammate Pieter van den Hooganband, others could learn from their sportsmanship.

Women 100m Freestyle Finals

Record Split Name NOC Location Date
WR 53.52 26.24
HENRY Jodie AUS Athens (GRE) 18 AUG 2004
OR 53.52 26.24
HENRY Jodie AUS Athens (GRE) 18 AUG 2004

Event No: 20

Rank Lane Name NOC R.T. 50m Time Time
Behind
1 4 HENRY Jodie AUS 0.81 (5) 26.38 53.84
27.46
2 5 de BRUIJN Inge NED 0.74 (1) 26.12 54.16
28.04 0.32
3 3 COUGHLIN Natalie USA 0.70 (2) 26.21 54.40
28.19 0.56
4 6 METELLA Malia FRA 0.78 (6) 26.48 54.50
28.02 0.66
5 2 JOYCE Kara Lynn USA 0.70 (4) 26.35 54.54
28.19 0.70
6 1 NIANGKOUARA Nery Mantey GRE 0.76 (3) 26.28 54.81
28.53 0.97
7 8 MORAVCOVA Martina SVK 0.76 (7) 26.49 55.12
28.63 1.28
8 7 POPCHANKA Alena BLR 0.72 (8) 26.83 55.24
28.41 1.40

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