MONTPELLIER, France, (Reuters) – France’s Alain Bernard clocked a world record for the 100 metres freestyle in 46.94 seconds in the semi-finals of the French swimming championships yesterday.
Olympic champion Bernard became the first man to break the 47-second barrier for the blue-riband event, beating the previous record of 47.05 seconds set by Australian Eamon Sullivan in the semi-finals at last year’s Beijing Games.
The record’s ratification, however, could be a problem because Bernard was using a new type of suit pending approval from swimming authorities.
Bernard had briefly held the 100 metres world record in Beijing, clocking 47.20 in his semi-final, but Sullivan took it straight back. The 25-year-old Bernard then completed his remarkable rise from obscurity by winning the Olympic final.