BROOKE'S LOOK AT ROMA 09 DAY SIX

August 1: Libby Trickett proved herself a true champion on day six of the FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome. Brooke Hanson reports...

There was no gold for Libby Trickett in the final of the women's 100m freestyle but today witnessed why she is a true champion.

The pressure to perform at your absolute best in a meet surrounded by swimsuit controversy has been tough on everyone, including Libby.

In the blue riband 100m freestyle final, Libby led at the 50-metre mark but was mowed down by German Britta Steffen and her Adidas Hydrofoil super suit in the last 15 metres.

Steffen proved too strong, touching the wall in a new world record time of 52.07 ahead of Fran Halsall GBR (52.87) with Libby claiming the bronze medal in 52.93.

After a week that has been overtaken by the super swimsuits, Libby has stayed loyal to long-term sponsor Speedo in her individual races despite the pressures to switch to a new-style suit.

Earlier in the week coach Grant Stoelwinder stepped into the swimsuit decision-making process.

Stolly decided it was best for the Australian 4x100m freestyle relay team that Libby wear the new generation super suit and not her Speedo LZR.

Libby is the kind of person that would do anything she can for her country and her team mates and so she took her coach's advice.

The decision from Stolly and Libby was backed by Australian head coach Alan Thompson. It was a decision made purely to benefit the team by giving them the best opportunity to win a medal.

The decision paid off as Australia claimed the bronze medal in front of the USA and behind the Netherlands and Germany.

Many people were not happy with the relay swimsuit decision after Libby said she would stand by Speedo; others wondered why she didn't ditch Speedo for the week for a chance of individual glory.

If ever there was ever a loyal and faithful servant to her long-term sponsor, the team sponsor and the team, it's Libby.

She is the kind of person that doesn't like to let anyone, down especially her team mates.

A lot has changed since the 2004 Olympic Games where I roomed with five other girls. including Libby.

I will never forget how overwhelmed she was to see the swimming pool for the first time, so much so she was in tears; completely different to the Libby of 2009.

Five years later watching her on pool deck is a delight. She is confident, relaxed, happy and always has a smile on her face.

Her maturity as a swimmer and a person has grown immensely; she is a great ambassador for swimming and is an integral part of the Telstra Dolphins leadership group.

A ruling put out by FINA in the past 24 hours is that as of January 1, 2010, all swim suits will go back to the old textile material.

Libby will start the year with a swimsuit that she is familiar with, the Speedo Fastskin.

I'm certain she will look forward to being back in a suit in which she has previously broken world records.

Well done this week, Libby, you're a true champion and a great role model for the younger generation who dream of one day representing Australia.