SWIMMINGALAIN BERNARD set his third world record of the week when he broke the 50 metre freestyle time at the European Championships in Eindhoven as questions over his recent improvements continue to be voiced.

The Frenchman (24), broke the 100 freestyle world best twice here, and set his third of the meet when he qualified fastest in the 50 freestyle yesterday in 21.50 seconds, cutting .06 of a second off the time set by Liam Sullivan of Australia in February.

Sullivan hasn't questioned Bernard's performances, at least not publicly, but Italian world champion Filippo Magnini told reporters after the 100 final that he believed the Frenchman had "found the right vitamins", while silver medallist Stefan Nystrand of Sweden said he "didn't want to comment".

Bernard yesterday again showed he was the man to beat in the 50 freestyle as he powered to the world record, over 1.08 seconds ahead of the rest, a staggering distance after just one length of the pool.

From an Irish perspective, until yesterday the meet had proved to be an encouraging and progressive week as the small squad of five swimmers had competed admirably, making five semi-finals and breaking six Irish senior records.

Yesterday it was back to reality for the four who contested the heats on the penultimate day, as none qualified for the evening's semi-finals. For Dubliner Barry Murphy it was a particularly disappointing morning in the heats of the 50 metres freestyle.

For the 22-year-old, who is on scholarship in the University of Tennessee, the 50 freestyle is his top event, the one in which he hopes to qualify for the Olympics in Beijing.

On Saturday, Murphy swam a powerful 50 metres breaststroke heat, smashing the Irish record and making the semi-final. In the end he was placed 16th of the 16 swimmers as, after a stunning start, he cramped up.

But there were still high hopes for yesterday's 50 freestyle. But a sluggish swim meant the Olympic hopeful will have to wait another day to try to make Beijing. His time of 23.47 was only good enough for 40th place.

Gráinne Murphy (15), set a personal best in the heats of the 200 metres butterfly, but she too couldn't qualify for the last 16.

She goes the 400 metres freestyle heats this morning.