Swimming: Australians inspired by German record breakers

SYDNEY - Former world record holder Libby Lenton said Australia's top female sprinters had been inspired by the stunning performance of German swimmers at the European championships in Hungary.

Lenton, who lost her 100 metres freestyle record to Britta Steffen, said the Australians had been given extra motivation to train even harder ahead of next year's world championships in Melbourne and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"The great thing about Australians is that if we get knocked down, we get back up and go harder than ever before," Lenton told local media.

"I think it is exciting for us, if you weren't spurred on for whatever reason, I think this will definitely give us extra motivation."

Australia have been the dominant force in women's swimming for the past two years, with Lenton, Jodie Henry, Leisel Jones and Jessicah Schipper sweeping all before them at the 2005 world championships in Montreal and Commonwealth Games this year.

But their position is now clearly under threat by a resurgent Germany, who also set world records this week in the women's 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle relays.

"I think a lot of people had this idea the Australian girls were kind of invincible," Lenton said.

"We are generally dominating, the women, and a lot of people are going to be a bit surprised but within female swimming in Australia, we know we are not invincible."

- REUTERS