DUNKIRK, France, April 20. THE first day of action at the French Olympic Trials began with a national record falling.
Joanna Andraca and Camille Muffat took Laure Manaudou's national record in the women's 400 IM as the duo tied with matching 4:38.23s. Both times cleared the Olympic standard, and eclipsed Manaudou's national record of 4:40.06 set in 2006. Cylia Vabre also broke the previous record with a third-place finish of 4:38.71, but will miss out on representing France in the event.
Pierre Henri began the meet with a victory in the men's 400 IM when he touched in 4:18.23. That performance just cleared the Olympic standard in the event.
In the women's 100 fly semis, Alena Popchanka topped qualifying with a time of 58.58. That time just missed her national record of 58.33 from 2006. Meanwhile, Aurore Mongel clocked a 58.75 for second seed while Sophie De Ronchi picked up the third seed in 59.54.
Nicolas Rostoucher set a meet record in the men's 400 free with a time of 3:48.07, which was well inside the Olympic standard. Sebastien Rouault joined him under the cut with a second-place time of 3:48.70.
In the men's 100 breast semis. Hugues Duboscq nearly cleared a minute with a time of 1:00.09, while James Gibson of Great Britain took the second seed in the open event with a time of 1:01.73. In prelims, Duboscq broke the meet record with a 1:00.05.
The quartet of Malia Metalla, Coralie Balmy, Elsa N'Guessan and Ophelia Cyriell Etienne broke the meet record in the women's 400 free relay with a time of 3:40.74.