Alain Mosconi is a French swimmer

Swimming (sport)

Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...

, Olympic medalist and previous world record holder. He was born in Puteaux

Puteaux

Puteaux is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located in the heart of the Hauts-de-Seine department from the center of Paris....

. He participated at the 1968 Summer Olympics

1968 Summer Olympics

The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...

, where he won a bronze medal in the 400 metre freestyle

Swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metre freestyle

The men's 400 metre freestyle event at the 1968 Olympic Games took place between October 22 and 23. This swimming event used freestyle swimming, which means that the method of the stroke is not regulated . Nearly all swimmers use the front crawl or a variant of that stroke...

. He also competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics

1972 Summer Olympics

The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....

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In 1966, at the European Championships he won the bronze medal in the 400-meter freestyle, behind Russian Semyon Belits-Geiman

Semyon Belits-Geiman

Semyon Viktorovich Belits-Geiman is a former Soviet freestyle swimmer. He set a world record in the 800-meter freestyle, and won two Olympic medals.-Early life:Belits-Geiman is Jewish, and was born in Moscow...

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He swam world records in 400 metres freestyle

World record progression 400 metres freestyle

The first world record in the men's 400 metres freestyle in long course swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation in 1908. In the short course swimming events the world's governing body recognizes world records since 3 March 1991.-Long course:-Short course:-Long...

 and in 800 metres freestyle

World record progression 800 metres freestyle

The first world record in the men's 800 metres freestyle in long course swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation in 1908...

in 1967.