BEIJING – Yuriy Prilukov of Russia bettered the European record for the men’s 1500 metres freestyle in the heats at the water cube tonight.

Prilukov, 24, was second in 14:41.13 to improve the record of 14:45.94 set by Mateusz Sawrymowicz of Poland in winning gold at the world championships in Melbourne on April 1st, 2007.

Prilukov’ splits: 56.73, 1:55.66, 2:54.35, 3:52.84, 4:51.50, 5:50.11, 6:48.73, 7:47.79, 8:46.97, 9:46.34, 10:46.01, 11:45.59, 12:45.21, 13:44.78.

The heat has been won by Ryan Cochrane of Canada in a new Olympic record of 14:40.84, although Australian Grant Hackett made the new record of 14:38.92 in winning the final heat.