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Britta Steffen

Early Career

Born on November 16, 1983, Britta Steffen was a German Freestyler. She still holds the World Record in both the 50M and 100M freestyles. Her times of 23.73 and 52.07 were set in 2009, which is a testament to her swiftness as her almost seven year old records still stands.

Britta burst on to the world scene in 1999, winning six titles at the European Junior Championships.

International Success

Britta won a bronze medal at the 2000 Olympics as part of the German Women’s 4x200M free relay.

At the 2006 European Championships (Britta took 2005 off to concentrate on her studies), Britta broke the World Record in the 100M free, clocking a 53.30. She also swam on two German World Record-breaking relays, the 4x100M and the 4x200M relay.

At the 2008 Olympics, Britta won the 100M freestyle with an Olympic Record of 53.12, and the 50M freestyle, touching out American Dara Torres by .01 seconds with a 24.06.

Britta broke the World Record in the 100m freestyle at the 2009 World Championships, clocking a 52.07. Impressively, she also broke the 50M free record of 23.73.

Retirement

Britta retired from competition on September 27, 2013. Britta stated that “in recent weeks she “doubted” whether she had the “necessary motivation and energy for one or even three more years in competition for gold medals and championship titles”.  As such, Rio 2016 was a Games too far.”

Britta has been dating another German swimmer, Paul Biedermann for over 6 years.

 

 

International Medals

Place Event Year Meet
Gold 50 Free 2008 Olympic Games
Gold 100 Free 2008 Olympic Games
Bronze 800 Freestyle Relay 2000 Olympic Games
Gold 50 Free 2009 World Championships
Gold 100 Free 2009 World Championships
Silver 800 Freestyle Relay 2007 World Championships
Silver 400 Freestyle Relay 2009 World Championships
Bronze 100 Free 2007 World Championships
Bronze 400 Medley Relay 2009 World Championships
Bronze 400 Freestyle Relay 2011 World Championships
Gold 100 Free 2012 Short Course World Championships
Silver 400 Freestyle Relay 2000 Short Course World Championships
Gold 50 Free 2006 European Championships
Gold 100 Free 2006 European Championships
Gold 400 Freestyle Relay 2006 European Championships
Gold 800 Freestyle Relay 2006 European Championships
Gold 50 Free 2012 European Championships
Gold 400 Freestyle Relay 2012 European Championships
Gold 400 Medley Relay 2012 European Championships
Silver 400 Medley Relay 2006 European Championships
Silver 100 Free 2012 European Championships
Gold 100 Free 2007 Short Course European Championships
Gold 200 Medley Relay 2007 Short Course European Championships
Gold 50 Free 2011 Short Course European Championships
Gold 100 Free 2011 Short Course European Championships
Gold 200 Freestyle Relay 2011 Short Course European Championships
Silver 200 Freestyle Relay 1999 Short Course European Championships
Silver 50 Free 2007 Short Course European Championships
Silver 200 Freestyle Relay 2007 Short Course European Championships
Silver 200 Freestyle Relay 2010 Short Course European Championships
Silver 200 Medley Relay 2010 Short Course European Championships
Bronze 200 Freestyle Relay 2000 Short Course European Championships
Bronze 200 Freestyle Relay 2003 Short Course European Championships
Bronze 50 Free 2010 Short Course European Championships
Bronze 100 Free 2010 Short Course European Championships

Best Times

Course Event Time Date Meet
lcm 50 Free 23.73 08/02/09 2009 FINA World Championships
Rome, Italy
lcm 100 Free 52.07 07/31/09 2009 FINA World Championships
Rome, Italy