BEIJING - Arkady Vyatchanin of Russia set a European and Olympic record in the 100 metres backstroke.

He won the first semifinal in 53.06 seconds (26.01), lowering the record of 53.10 set by Helge Meeuw of Germany in Berlin this year in April.

Few minutes later, Australian Hayden Stoeckel won the second semifnal in a new Olympic record of 52.97.

Also see:

European records for Meew and Poewe
Apr 20, 2008