Alain Bernard (FRA) has shaved 0.06sec off the world record in the 50m freestyle semi-final at the European Championships here in Eindhoven. The standard had stood to Eamon Sullivan (AUS) since February 17 this year.
Bernard set world records of 47.60 and 47.50 in the semi and final of the 100m freestyle on Friday and Saturday. Tonight's blast makes him only the second man to break both the 50m and 100m world records at the same meet. Matt Biondi (USA) did it in Orlando at US trials and national championships back in June 1986.
Bernard, coached by Denis Auguin in Antibes, clocked 21.97sec in the heats this morning. The only other swimmers to have raced inside 22sec in heats and semis are Americans Gary Hall Jr and Anthony Ervin, joint Olympic champions in 2000. Bernard's previous best was a 21.76 from June last year.
The all-time top 10 now reads: