Bernard smashes freestyle record

Frenchman Alain Bernard snatched the 100 metres freestyle world record from Olympic champion Pieter van den Hoogenband in the Dutchman8217;s home pool at the European swimming championships on Friday.

Bernard clocked 47.60 seconds in the 100 semi-finals to beat the 47.84 mark Van den Hoogenband set in the semi-finals of the Sydney Games on September 19, 2000.

Van den Hoogenband pulled out of the morning8217;s heats, having been ill during the week.

Bernard turned at the 50-metre mark in 22.88, well inside Van den Hoogenband8217;s world record split of 23.16, and hurtled down the return length to cut 0.24 seconds off the world mark.