Cal Alum Natalie Coughlin Wins Her First Gold in the Women's 100 Meter Backstroke

She won her event in 1:00.37 after holding of a late charge from Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry. Coughlin, the world record holder at this distance and the only woman ever to go under a minute, had been a heavy pre-race favorite. She set the Olympic Record in yesterday's semi-finals. Coughlin has one more individual event remaining in the 100 meter freestyle, which she swims on Wednesday and Thursday night.

This is her second Olympic medal. She had already won a silver medal on Saturday night for her participation in the Women's 4X100 Meter Freestyle relay.

Another Cal Alum, Haley Cope finished 8th in the same event.

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