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Bernard sets all-time second fastest 100m freestyle

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-06-26 17:12

Frenchman Alain Bernard clocked 48.12 seconds to record the second fastest 100 metres freestyle in history at the French swimming championships on Monday.

While all eyes were on Laure Manaudou, Bernard stole the show to take second spot on the all-time list for the blue riband event behind Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogenband on 47.84 seconds.

"I want to go even further," Bernard told reporters. "I'm not very far from the world record or an Olympic title. I'm ready to fight with the very best.

The 24-year old won the 50 metre freestyle on Sunday in an impressive 21.76 seconds to share third spot on the all-time list with double Olympic gold medallist Gary Hall Jr of the United States.

Only Russian Aleksandr Popov (21.64) and South African Roland Schoeman (21.69) have gone faster.

Manaudou, one of France's best hopes of success at next year's Olympics, won the 800 metres freestyle and 50 metres backstroke titles but did it in relatively modest times to her own, high standards.

The 200 and 400 freestyle world champion is making her first appearance in France since splitting with coach Philippe Lucas and moving to Italy.