EMILY Seebohm had a message for American world champion backstroker Natalie Coughlin at the Australian Olympics trials in March.

After securing her berth at Beijing in the 100-metre backstroke with a sub-60-second swim, she declared "Natalie Coughlin, I'm coming".

Last weekend, she had another message for Coughlin, who last week underlined her status as the world's best backstroker over two laps when she became the first women under 59 seconds.

The American star won the final of the US Olympic trials in 58.97 — and that was after she and Hayley McGregory, who failed to make the team after finishing third in the 100 and 200 finals — swapped the world record in the heats.

Seebohm, 16, said she would not be intimidated by the new world mark — declaring that she was still coming.

"(I'm) not really too fussed about it," she said. "They were always going to go under 59 so I was ready for that. So now that they've done it we've got to do better."

Seebohm came to prominence at the 2006 national titles when, as a 14-year-old, she qualified for the Australian world championships team by dead-heating with then-national champion Tay Zimmer in the 100 metres backstroke.

She backed up that performance by claiming fourth in the world titles final last year and then, at this year's Olympic trials, became the first Australian to break 60 seconds when she won the 100 final in 59.59.

Coach Matt Brown agreed with Seebohm that it would take a world record to win gold in Beijing — and has no doubt his charge can do it, saying she had a definite advantage over her rivals — her age.

"I think given what's been going on with backstrokers … things have gone berserk in the last six months and I know that quietly we've been working towards the goal that if you want a medal over there you have to go 58-seconds plus," Brown said.

"Em believes in herself like you wouldn't believe. She's got a great confidence, she's a good worker and I've said it all along, she's got youth on her side."

Seebohm's preparation during the past few weeks has been affected by illness — described by Brown as having asthma or flu-like symptoms — but she said it would not prove a problem in Beijing.

The powerhouse US team, spearheaded by Michael Phelps, could leave Beijing as the most successful squad ever.

But while there is little doubting the power of the men's team, the US women insist that they head to China as underdogs to Australia.

Teenager Katie Hoff, spearhead of the women's team with a program of five individual events and the 4 x 200 freestyle relay, is determined to put behind her the demons of Athens when, as a nervous novice throwing up in the Olympic pool, she did not win a medal.

"I've learned I can handle it," said Hoff, who was the youngest US athlete at the last Games.

with AAP