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Lithuania's Ruta Meilutyte competes in a women's 100-meter freestyle swimming heat at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012. Michael Sohn, Associated Press
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United States' Jessica Hardy prepares to compete in a women's 100-meter freestyle swimming heat at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012. Matt Slocum, Associated Press

By Associated Press

LONDON — Tang Yi of China qualified fastest in the women's 100-meter freestyle preliminaries at the London Olympics, with defending champion Britta Steffen of Germany back in the pack.

Tang won her heat in 53.28 seconds on Wednesday. China has only won three medals in the event, though two of them were gold in 1992 and 1996.

Melanie Schlanger of Australia was second-quickest in 53.50. World champion Jeanette Ottesen Gray of Denmark was third in 53.51.

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Dutch sprinter Ranomi Kromowidjojo moved on in fifth in 53.66. American teenager Missy Franklin advanced to the evening semifinals in a tie for 10th.

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