27 Apr 2009

Another world record at French swim champs

6:09 am on 27 April 2009

The French swimmer Frederick Bousquet has broken the 50 metres freestyle world record at the French championships in Montpellier.

Bousquet bettered the previous record held by Australian Eamon Sullivan by 0.34 seconds.

Bousquet, who also won the 100 metres freestyle final earlier this weekend, beat Alain Bernard, who also swam under Sullivan's mark in 21.23 seconds.

Bernard, the 100 metres world record holder, will not swim the 50 metres freestyle at this year's world championships in Rome as Bousquet took the only remaining spot.

Amaury Leveaux, who was third in 21.59, had automatically qualified after winning the silver medal in the distance at last year's Olympic Games in Beijing.

Bousquet wore a bodysuit fully covered with polyurethane manufactured in Italy by Jaked.

The use of such suits, which boost buoyancy, has triggered a heated controversy at the French championships.

Representatives of the manufacturers were spotted selling their suit in the VIP stands and then at the back of the pool after being asked to leave by organisers.