Sprint king Alain Bernard happy to lose swim record

By Sophie Greuil

ANTIBES, France (Reuters) - France's Alain Bernard, who broke three world swimming records in as many days, was perfectly happy to lose one of them soon afterwards.

"Somehow, it proves that I am not alone," the Frenchman told Reuters in an interview.

Bernard established himself as the new sprint king at the European championships in Eindhoven in March, bettering the showcase 100 meters freestyle record twice before setting a record for the 50 meters freestyle.

The shorter record was recaptured a few days later by the man Bernard took it from, Australian Eamon Sullivan, setting the scene for an exciting showdown at the Beijing Games in August.

"At a moment when people are questioning my performances, I'm glad to see him join me," said Bernard of Sullivan.

The 24-year-old Bernard, who was unheard of outside swimming circles a year ago, had been hurt by suggestions that illegal substances might have helped him to make such a sudden impact.

In Eindhoven, Italian rival Filippo Magnini told Italian media the Frenchman had "found the right vitamins".

"The Italians should not give us any lessons on doping," Bernard told Reuters.

"Unlike France or other nations, they've already had swimmers tested positive. From now to the Olympics, I know they will do it (criticize) again. I will need to protect myself."

RECORD SMASHED

Bernard started his Eindhoven show by clocking 47.60 for the 100, smashing Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogenband's mark of 47.84 set at the 2000 Sydney Games.

The next day, Bernard clocked 47.50 and the following day, he set a best mark for the 50 in 21.50, breaking Sullivan's record 21.56.

Sullivan has since lowered Bernard's mark twice to put the record at 21.28.

Once a lanky teenager with hardly promising credentials in backstroke and medley swimming, Bernard has since successfully switched to freestyle and is now as heavily muscled as a comic superhero.

The discreet but resolute Frenchman, who stands 1.96 meters tall and has an armspread of 2.05 meters, was nicknamed the 'hovercraft' by former top French sprinter Bruno Gutzeit, who sees Bernard as the ultimate swimming machine.