2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES

Similar to the 100 free final, an absolutely loaded field in the women’s 50 freestyle saw the favorites fall while a new star emerged.

Denmark’s Pernille Blume wasn’t a medal favorite coming into the Games, but her top finishes in both the heats and semis forced everyone to take notice. And then in the final she did it again, winning gold in another national record of 24.07, Denmark’s first gold medal of these Olympics and 4th overall.

That record broke her own previous record of 24.23, set in the preliminaries.

It is also Denmark’s first Olympic swimming medal in eight years, as they were shut out in 2012. In 2008, distance freestyler Lotte Friis won bronze in the 800 freestyle.

Another accolade to add to Blume’s swim is that it was Denmark’s first ever medal in the women’s 50 freestyle, and their 11th female swimming medal ever.

After coming into the session on the cusp of going two straight Olympics with zero swimming medals, the Danes now have a shot at two as they’re in contention for a silver or bronze in the women’s medley relay. Blume will swim the freestyle leg.