EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (AFP) - Frenchman Alain Bernard set a new world record for the men's 100 metres freestyle in a time of 47.60sec at the European swimming championships here on Friday.

Bernard beat the previous record of 47.84 set by Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogenband on September 19, 2000 in Sydney, Australia.

With only five months until the summer Olympics, Bernard's time has set the stage for a thrilling battle for the men's 100 metre crown in Beijing.

Bernard however still has to qualify, by winning the French championships next month.

After showing his intentions with a time of 48.70 in the morning heats, Bernard came out firing on all cylinders in the semi-finals where he powered ahead of his rivals over the last 50 metres.

It is the first time he has swam the distance under the mythic 48-second barrier. His previous best time was 48.12, set in June 2007 in Saint Raphael in southern France.

Bernard, from Antibes, admitted his record feat had yet to sink in.

"I knew I had a great performance in me, but I didn't think I would set it (record) so soon," said the 24-year-old.

"When I looked up and saw I'd broken the record, I couldn'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.

In the second men's semi-final Fabien Gilot of France also touched the wall first, in a time of 48.68.

Bernard and Gilot will now lead France's bid for the men's European title, alongside co-favourites Nystrand, Italian Filippo Magnini and Croatia's Duje Draganja.

Reigning two-time Olympic 100m freestyle champion Van den Hoogenband was absent from Friday's race having pulled out of the competition citing illness, in the wake of failing to qualify from the heats of the 200m freestyle.