Libby Trickett has smashed the world record in the 100m freestyle at the Olympic trials on Thursday night.

She stopped the clock at 52.88 seconds to lower German Britta Steffen's old mark of 53.30s by 0.42s.

It is the second time Trickett has broken the 53-second barrier, but her previous time of 52.99s at the Duel in the Pool last year was not ratified by FINA because she was swimming against Michael Phelps.

"I cannot say how much I wanted to do that," said Trickett.

"Ever since Duel in the Pool last year ... I've just wanted it so badly and to see it officially up there is just amazing."

Teenager Cate Campbell finished second in the final in 53.81s to claim a place on the Olympic team.

"I did not even make the final in this event last year," said Campbell.

"I went 56.6s last year. It's such a big drop in time, I'm so happy.

"All I have ever wanted to do is have fun swimming and it turns out I'm going to the Olympics."

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