EINDHOVEN , Netherlands -- Frenchman Alain Bernard set a world record for the men 's 100 meters freestyle in 47.60sec at the European swimming championships in Eindhoven on Friday . Bernard has not yet qualified for the Beijing Olympics . Bernard surpassed the 47.84 of Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogenband on September 19 , 2000 in Sydney , Australia . Bernard has yet to qualify for the Beijing Olympics but will have his chance at the French championships next month . After returning 48.70 in the morning heats , Bernard surged ahead over the last 50 meters of the semifinal . His previous best was 48.12 , in June 2007 in Saint Raphael in southern France . Bernard , from Antibes , said : `` I knew I had a great performance in me , but I did n't think I would set it ( record ) so soon . `` When I looked up and saw I 'd broken the record , I could n't stop shaking . I 'm still shaking , it 's unbelievable ! '' Bernard becomes only the third swimmer to complete the distance in under 48secs , after Van den Hoogenband and Sweden 's Stefan Nystrand . Nystrand , the second swimmer to break the 48-sec barrier , in Paris , was quick with his congratulations . `` It was a great record for him . I really believed he could beat it , but I did n't think he would do it so soon , '' said the Swede . Retired French swimmer Franck Esposito believes Bernard is strong enough to go even faster . `` I was sitting on my sofa and he nearly blew me off it . It 's stunning , '' said Esposito . `` He 's fought really hard to get where he is , and it just goes to show they are doing some good work down at his club in Antibes . `` I 'm convinced Alain can swim in world record time at the Olympics . I think he 's capable of swimming even faster . '' In the second men 's semifinal Fabien Gilot of France won in 48.68 . Bernard and Gilot will now lead France 's bid for the men 's European title , alongside co-favorites Nystrand , Italian Filippo Magnini and Croatia 's Duje Draganja . Reigning two-time Olympic 100m freestyle champion Van den Hoogenband missed Friday 's race having pulled out of the competition because of illness , after failing to qualify from the heats of the 200m freestyle . E-mail to a friend .
Alain Petit breaks the world 100 m freestyle swimming record . He covers the distance in 38 seconds in Eindhoven . He has yet to qualify for the Beijing Olympics .