LONDON -- Lithuanian breakout Ruta Meilutyte has stolen the headlines in pool on Monday at London Olympics as she gave her country the first Olympic swimming gold on her international debut.
Meilutyte, 15, was fastest off the blocks and set the tone for the race. She was clear of the rest of the field at the turn and never looked back to touch the wall first.
American Rebecca Soni, silver medallist at Beijing Games, turned in fourth place and looked to be out of medal contention until the 15m mark when she picked up the pace to challenge the Lithuanian youngster heading into the wall. Both of them surged for the wall at the same time, with Meilutyte coming out first in 1:05.47 and Soni second in 1:05.55.
The bronze medal went to Japan's Satomi Suzuki who posted 1:06.46.
"I can't believe it. It's too much for me," said Meilutyte in tears.
"It was hard and difficult. At the moment I can't speak too much. But it means a lot to me and I'm so proud," said Meilutyte, who trains in Plymouth under the tutelage of British coach Jon Rudd.
She easily seized the lead after diving off the block, and never looked back to touch the end. A capacity of Lithuanian athletes, coaches and volunteers roared on the tribune for her, sharing with her the historic success.
The teenager couldnot help bursting in tears when she stepped on the top podium, watching Lithuanian flag rising and anthem ringing.
Soni was little disappointed for a silver but she said she learned something along the way.
Commenting on Meilutyte's show in the final, Soni said she was "definitely surprised" by the teenager's outstanding speed.
"It was amazing because she is only 15 years old," Soni said, calling the teenager an all-rounder. "I believe she will do great in the future."
It is the first-ever swimming Olympic medal for Lithuania. Meilutyte is the sole female swimmer of her country in London together with other three male swimmers in the squad.
A day before, the teenager blazed to set an European record of 1:05.21 in the women's 100m breaststroke semifinal as the fastest qualifier, also her personal best.
Only three swimmers have been faster than Meilutyte in history, world record holder Jessica Hardy (1:04.45), Rebecca Soni (1:04.84) and Liesel Jones (1:05.09).
It was not an easy way for Meilutyte to get atop the Olympic podium. She lost her mother in an car accident at the age of four and lived with her father who worked with disabled people. Two years ago, she moved to Plymouth with her father to seek better progress in her swimming career.
Meilutyte made her European debut at the 2011 European Youth Olympic Festival and and stunned the audience by taking three medals in the 100m breaststroke, 50m and 100m freestyle.
The Plymouth high school student broke two of her country's records at the British Gas Swimming Championships, whizzing a time of 1:07.30 in the women's 100m breaststroke to set a new Lithuanian record, though it was two seconds slower than the mark she set at London Olympics.
Before the start of London Olympics, Meilutyte said she didnot expect a medal. But in fact, she could be the greatest Lithuanian swimmer of all time.
