Beijing 2008 - Bernard promises to "smash" Americans

Eurosport - Thu, 07 Aug 11:41:00 2008

World record holder Alain Bernard opened the war of words for the Olympic swimming competition, stating he was the favourite for the 100 metres freestyle and the French relay squad would "smash" the Americans.

SWIMMING - Alain Bernard Open de Paris 2008 - 0

Bernard lowered Pieter van den Hoogenband's world record to 47.50 seconds in March and four of his title rivals have since swum under 48 seconds, making the blue-riband event one of the most open on the Beijing programme.

Not according to Bernard.

"The 100 metres favourite, it's me," he said in Beijing. "If I didn't believe I was, I wouldn't be here at all.

"I've always said that 10 to 15 swimmers could be on the podium. But physically, I'm on top. I'm fitter than I was at the French championships, fitter than I was at the European championships."

A great fan of double Olympic champion van den Hoogenband, Bernard said the Dutchman, below par in recent months, was far from finished despite having the 13th fastest time this year, 0.87 seconds behind Bernard's world record.

Van den Hoogenband has withdrawn from the 200 freestyle to concentrate on defending his Olympic title.

"He will be there, believe me," Bernard said of the Dutch veteran. "He's going for his third title, and for someone like me, taking part in his first Olympics, it's impressive."

Bernard also said the French relay quartet, in a remark reminiscent of Gary Hall Jr's comments the Americans' would "smash the Australians like guitars" just before the Sydney Olympics, would be one of the teams to beat.

France with a team including Amaury Leveaux, Frederic Gilot and Frederick Bousquet clocked 3:12.54 in June, only 0.08 seconds from the world mark and Bernard was bullish ahead of Sunday's 4x100 freestyle relay heats.

"The Americans? We're going to smash them. That's what we came here for," Bernard said.

"I'll start my Games in the 4x100 metres freestyle relay final, confident that my pals will have qualified easily.

"If the relay goes according to plans, than we'll be on a roll."

Reuters

Comment 1 - 19 of 19

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  1. Alain bernard has never had such comment.....
    They are­ imaginary comments put back by American­ journalists.
    Anyway, alain bernard is a Olympic­ champion on 100m free, so, what else ...

    From Kheops, on Thu 14 Aug 9:54AM

  2. Love the picture, it really highlights his best­ quality: showing off before losing. What do you have to­ say now (hold on, let me scroll up to remember what his­ name is again) ... Alain Bernard. Take it from the­ bicyclists in the Tour de France, the only way to beat­ America's best athletes is to snivel and whine­ until they retire.

    From Collard, on Wed 13 Aug 7:56PM

  3. HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!! LOSERS!!!!! THE FRENCH ARE­ STUCK UP AND RUDE. I KNOW FIRST HAND BECAUSE I WAS­ THERE JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND WAS TREATED­ HORRIBLY BY THEM. I WILL NEVER EVER GO BACK. I'M­ PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!!!!!

    From jennifer, on Wed 13 Aug 7:01PM

  4. Alain Bernard: the americans? were gonna smash them,­ that's what we came here for!

    .....ooops!
    you were­ saying something?

    From Angelique, on Tue 12 Aug 12:12PM

  5. Let's not get too down on the Frenchies now. They­ are only doing what they do best...being obnoxious and­ losing.

    From Red Sox, on Tue 12 Aug 12:36AM

  6. If you are an American, don't stoop to the level of­ talking smack even after the fact. Be humble and­ proud. There is no need to put down anyone cause all­ these swimmers are great otherwise they would not be­ there. Congratulating our USA team is all that is­ needed. Congrats team!

    From BlessedMorning, on Mon 11 Aug 11:07PM

  7. Thou shall not talk smack, lest thou canst back it up.

    From Kim, on Mon 11 Aug 10:37PM

  8. I thought it was all about the athletes. Bernard, even­ if you won, you'd still be a loser.

    From J E, on Mon 11 Aug 10:04PM

  9. How would you like your crow served, Bernard?

    From Michael, on Mon 11 Aug 6:36PM

  10. Alain Bernard's motivation speech to the Americans­ worked better then their own coach would have done for­ them.

    From Hank T, on Mon 11 Aug 5:57PM

  11. This is a lesson in not talking trash, especially if­ you can't bring it. Actions speak louder than­ words.

    From Kat, on Mon 11 Aug 5:17PM

  12. French uniforms White need to change their flag to­ match...

    From johnd, on Mon 11 Aug 5:08PM

  13. Bye bye france!

    From Acorn King, on Mon 11 Aug 7:57AM

  14. Boo, hoo, hoo. As usual the french are kissing our­ buts.

    From thegrammers, on Mon 11 Aug 5:04AM

  15. Mangez corbeau, M Bernard!! Vive les Etats-Unis!!!

    From noA, on Mon 11 Aug 4:55AM

  16. Smash this Alain Bernard! USA! USA! USA!

    From Amy, on Mon 11 Aug 4:47AM

  17. HA HA HA HA HA Bernard is not smashing anything but his­ head against the side of the pool!!!!!!!!!

    From LeNora, on Mon 11 Aug 4:42AM

  18. screw france, stupid stuck up snobs think theyre­ everything

    From adam.alexander99, on Mon 11 Aug 4:41AM

  19. bernard is a cool swimmer but phelps is a legend ....

    From goga, on Sun 10 Aug 5:46PM
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