updated 5:59 p.m. ET Aug. 16, 2004

ATHENS, Greece - American Natalie Coughlin won Olympic gold in the 100-meter backstroke Monday night.

Coughlin finished first in 1 minute, 0.37 seconds. Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe, who swims at Auburn University in Alabama, earned the silver in 1:00.50. Laure Manaudou of France took bronze in 1:00.88.

Manaudou had won the 400 freestyle Sunday night.

“I’m relieved to have it done with and get the gold,” said Coughlin, who won her first medal, a silver, as part of the 400 free relay Saturday. “There’s a lot of pressure on me, especially in that event. There’s relief to have it behind me.”

Coughlin, the only woman to break a minute in the 100 back, failed to get another record. In fact, she struggled to hold off Coventry in the final meters after going out too fast in the first 50.

“I was hurting out there,” Coughlin said. “But I have a gold medal, and I have it for life.”

Coughlin has endured plenty of ups and downs in her career. She was a leading contender for the 2000 Olympic team, but a back injury ruined those hopes. She got back on track, becoming the female version of Phelps — the greatest all-around swimmer in the world. But an untimely illness led to a disappointing performance for Coughlin at last year’s world championships.

At this year’s Olympic trials, Coughlin dropped several events in which she had a chance to medal, preferring to focus on the 100 back, the 100 free and the relays. That still gives her a chance to win five medals, but it won’t thoroughly show off her versatility.

“I wish I could have done the 200 free or 100 fly, but I think it’s better for me,” she said. “It keeps these games a lot more manageable for me mentally.”

Coughlin broke the minute-barrier for the first time in July 2002, going 59.58 to lower the world record of 1:00.16 set by He Cihong of China. Coughlin did it again at last month’s U.S. trials, when she swam in 59.85.

The American owns six of the top 10 times in the event, but didn’t need a sub-minute time to win her first gold medal.

Haley Cope of Chico, Calif., was eighth and last in 1:01.76.

Swimming - Women's 100-meter Backstroke (medals: Aug. 16th) Medal Athlete Country Result Gold Natalie Coughlin United States 1:00.37 Silver Kirsty Coventry Zimbabwe 1:00.50 Bronze Laure Manaudou France 1:00.88 NBCO: Schedules, preliminary result and complete final results

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