French sprinter Alain Bernard snatched the Olympic title of the men's 100-meter freestyle in an intense duel with world record holder Australian Eamon Sullivan at the Beijing Olympic Games on Thursday.

Bernard won the race in 47.21 seconds, beating Sullivan to the second in 47.32, while American Jason Lezak got the bronze in 47.67.

Bernard was the second to touch wall at the first turn after Sullivan, but took over the lead in the second lap.

The bulky French, at 1.96 meters tall, leapt upon the lane divider in celebration of his victory, while Sullivan stared at the scoreboard, appearing downcast.

The pair has traded world records for the event all year.

Sullivan broke Bernard's mark of 47.50 seconds on Monday, clocking 47.24 seconds as lead-off swimmer in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay, but Bernard took the record back in 47.20 seconds in the first of Wednesday's semifinals.

About three minutes later, Sullivan swam in 47.05 seconds and stood on the final deck as the world record holder.

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2008)