Libby Lenton has set her sights on reclaiming the 100 metres freestyle world record at the Australian Olympic trials, starting in Sydney.

Lenton became the first woman to break the 53 seconds barrier at last year's Duel in the Pool meet between Australia and the United States, but the record did not count because it was not considered an official event.

Germany's Britta Steffen still holds the official record at 53.30, but Lenton hopes to better that during the trials - Australia's sole qualifying event for Beijing.

"I absolutely think I have that swim in me again and hopefully faster," she told the Sun Herald newspaper.

"Whether it happens or not [at the trials] is another question, but that's definitely my aim."

Lenton broke Inge de Bruijn's world record in 2004 but failed to make the final at the Athens Olympics and saw her record fall to team-mate Jodie Henry, who won the gold.

Henry was forced to pull out of this week's trials, ruling her out of the Beijing Olympics and leaving Lenton to spearhead the women's team by competing in as many as six events.

Not that she will be alone. Australia boast a dazzling array of female swimmers including Leisel Jones, the world record holder for 100 and 200 breaststroke, and Jessicah Schipper, the 200 butterfly record holder.

The retirement of Ian Thorpe has left a massive hole in the Australian men's team, but there have been some encouraging signs of recovery with the emergence of sprinter Eamon Sullivan and a return to form by long-distance king Grant Hackett.

Sullivan instantly established himself as the early favourite to win the 50 freestyle gold in Beijing when he broke Alexander Popov's world record last month.

His performance raised the suspicions of American Gary Hall Jr, who won gold in the 50 freestyle at the last two Olympics, prompting an angry response from Australian team captain Hackett.

Gary has let his own team-mates down in making such disgraceful allegations," Hackett said.

"It is also a slur against every world record-holder. It's a classic case of jealousy. He should have thought before opening his mouth."

Like Hall, Hackett is also bidding to win a third successive Olympic title, a feat that no male swimmer has ever achieved.

Hackett won the 1500 at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics but suffered his first defeat in over a decade when he finished out of the medals at last year's world championships in Melbourne when not fully fit.

Rather than be deflated, the 27-year-old is using his loss to motivate him for success in Beijing.

"I have definitely grown from that experience, not just as an athlete, but as a person," he said.

Reuters