"That was the moment when I didn't know what had happened at the other side of me... It's a super race. Even if I hadn't got a medal it would be fine,"Steffen told reporters at a press conference after the race.

She said she went to the race without feeling much pressure and only thought about having a great race for herself.

"I wasn't counting for a medal. Sometimes it's better to have that attitude and there is something from what you've expected", the 25-year-old said.

Australian Lisbeth Trickett, who still holds world record of 52. 88, was edged by Steffen with 0.04 second. She hugged her German rival across the lane divider as Steffen, in an apparent emotional mood, fought to hold her tears back.

"Congratulations. Britta is a wonderful person and a fantastic competitor. Full credit to her. She kept driving through the wall," Trickett said in the mixed zone, admitting that she was disappointed with her performance today.

"Honestly, after the race, yes. I don't know what or how or why, but someone was looking after me. In Athens (2004 Olympic Games) I didn't get another chance."

"I'm human, I make mistakes, I do things wrong. But I gave it my best," the silverist said.

American veteran Natalie Coughlin earned her second bronze in the Beijing Games and equaled her American record with a time of 53. 39.

The 27-year-old Chinese veteran swimmer Zhu Yingwen, who is suffering a knee injury, finished at 54.21, the 6th.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2008)