French swimmers flew on Monday from Dalian, a port city in northeast China, to Beijing for the coming Olympic Games after one week's practice run in Dalian, said Liu Weixing, director of Liaoning provincial swimming administrative center.

Claude Fauquet, the national technical director of the squad, arrived in Beijing earlier for the preparation of the team's coming, according to the official website of the French Olympic Committee.

"The French swimming squad arrived in Dalian on July 29 and practised for five hours each day in the Liaoning Swimming Gym," said Liu, who was also in charge of reception of the French squad in Dalian.

Swimming is one of French niche events. France has sent a 51-strong swimming team, including 33 athletes, the most that France has ever sent for Olympics and World Cups.

The most eye-catching swimmer in the team is Alain Bernard who has just shattered the 100-meter and 50-meter freestyle world record at the European championships in March.

(Xinhua News Agency August 5, 2008)