"It was an honour to compete against this field," she said after 56.92 at the Athens World Cup event, where she also finished second in the 100m freestyle.

Sarah Sjöström started cautiously, was fourth after 50 meters but then picked up positions after the turn.

In the end, she put her hands on the tiles in second place in 56.92, behind China's Zang Yufei's 56.06.

The 30-year-old was just as happy about it.

"Very happy to be second"

"I'm very happy. It was an honor to compete against this field with all the strong swimmers. It was almost like an Olympic final. I'm very happy to be second," she says in the broadcast on the World Aquatics' YouTube channel.

The Swede, who earlier in this weekend's World Cup competitions in Athens won the 50 meter free and 50 meter butterfly, also made sure to take home another podium on Sunday.

Sjöström was second in the 100-meter freestyle with a time of 53.32. Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, Hong Kong, won in 52.55.

Podium for Sophie Hansson

Louise Hansson was fifth in the 100 meter butterfly with a time of 57.86.

However, Sophie Hansson made sure that her family got a podium finish from Greece, as she came third in the 50 meter breast in 30.68 seconds.

"It felt very good. I'm happy to be under 31," Hansson said.

Ruta Meilutyte, Lithuania, won in 30.23. Siobhan Bernadette Haughey was second in 30.36.