Libby Lenton rediscovered the speed and winning smile that deserted her at the Athens Olympics with a scintillating 50 metres freestyle victory at the Queensland titles.

Lenton posted a quick 25.16 seconds in the splash and dash which brought great relief to the former 100m world record holder after a disappointing 2004 Games campaign.

The 19-year-old returned from Athens with a relay gold and bronze in the 50m but it was a painful time for the Brisbane girl.

She flopped badly in the 100m, missing the final altogether only five months after eclipsing the world mark with a 53.66 in the semi-finals of the Games selection trials.

An untapered Lenton beat fellow Athens 50m finalist Melbourne's Michelle Engelsman (25.48) by half a length in a time that was only 0.46 behind her PB.

She said the performance proved to her the heights she reached in Sydney could be repeated and surpassed.

"Going 25 low is a huge plus," an excited Lenton said.

"It's always nice to reinforce the fact that you can still swimming fast.

"I took a few knocks at the Olympics where you do question whether you are able to swim that fast again. So after this week I'm very excited.

"Looking back it was more of a worry than I thought it was (at the time).

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP