Olympic champion Alain Bernard became the first man ever to break the 47-second barrier for the 100metres freestyle.

The 25-year-old touched in 46.94seconds in the semi-finals of the French National Championships in Montpellier to lower the mark of 47.05 secs set at the Beijing Olympics by Australian Eamon Sullivan.

Bernard held the world record entering Beijing before the pair traded the mark on three occasions during the Games, although the Frenchman edged out his rival to lift the Olympic title.

Bernard said: "To become the first swimmer to go under 47 seconds and in France in front of my fans, that is huge."