PARIS - France's double Olympic champion Yannick Agnel times three minutes 32.25 seconds in the short course 400m freestyle, setting a new world record in the event at the French championships held in Angers of France on Thursday.

Agnel cut 0.52 seconds from the previous mark of 3:32.77 set by German Paul Biedermann in Berlin in November 2009.

The 20-year-old claimed a surprise double gold in the men's 200m freestyle and the 4x100m relay with the French team in his first Olympics in London this summer. He also won a silver as part of the 4x200m relay team.

"I was targeting a time close to the world record," Agnel said. "Now, I haven't fixed my limits.

Agnel is set to compete in the European short-course championships in the French city of Chartres between November 22- 25.