Pics of the Champion...Natalie Coughlin

Natalie Coughlin secures 100-meter backstorke gold..

Natalie Coughlin earned the gold medal in the women's 100-meter backstroke event at the National Aquatics Center today morning.

Coughlin's teammate Margaret Hoelzer won the bronze.

Coughlin posted a time of 58.96 seconds, edging Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry by 0.23. Hoelzer touched the wall in 59.34 seconds. Coughlin went out strong, making the turn at 28.58, a full 0.40 seconds ahead of Coventry.

"It hasn't really sunken in yet. When I first saw 'One' by my name, I thought I had made a mistake. It was such a fast time. Then I saw my name there and I realized that I'd got it," Coughlin said excitedly.