SYDNEY – Australia’s Lisbeth Trickett (nee Lenton) has smashed the world record in the 50 metres freestyle at the Olympic Swimming Trials.

Trickett became the first woman to break 24 seconds in the 50m freestyle, clocking 23.97s to slash 0.12s off Dutch Marlene Veldhuis' record set at the European championships in Eindhoven last Monday.

The 23-year-old Australian lowered the 100m world mark to 52.88s on Thursday.