France's Bernard breaks world 100 record

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 on Thursday.

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.

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.

"I wanted to swim as fast as I can," Bernard said in a televised interview after setting his record on Thursday. "Being the first man under 47 seconds is magnificent."

His previous best time for the 100 this year was 48.52 set last month, but Bernard had said some punishing training sessions prevented him from swimming faster.

Bernard warned in Thursday morning's heats he could swim fast, clocking 47.86 for the quickest time this year.

His record is certain to stir up debate on a new type of suit being used at the championships but Bernard's coach Denis Auguin said his swimmer deserved all the credit.

"He just did what he does best the best he could," Auguin said. "Of course there is new equipment being used but everybody else has it too."