Olympics: Pernille Blume wins Denmark's 3rd swimming gold in clinching women's 50m free

Pernille Blume of Denmark reacts after winning the Women's 50m Freestyle Final event. PHOTO: REUTERS

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Denmark's Pernille Blume beat the favourites to win the 50m freestyle in 24.07sec on Saturday and give her country a first Olympic swimming gold medal since 1948.

Simone Manuel of the United States, the 100m freestyle gold medallist, took the silver in 24.09 and Aliaksandra Herasimenia of Belarus the bronze.

Ranomi Kromowidjojo, the 2012 Olympic champion, finished sixth while Australia's Campbell sisters Cate and Bronte again failed to medal in an individual sprint.

The gold was Denmark's third in swimming, and Blume's first of any colour at an Olympics.

The other two were won by Karen-Margrete Harup (100m backstroke) and Greta Anderson (100m freestyle) at the 1948 London Games.

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