Switzerland's 800m runner, André Bucher, clocked a world best for the year and set a new Swiss record of one minute 43.12 seconds to finish ahead of the Kenyan, David Lelei at Lausanne's Athletissima.

The 24-year old said he had not been surprised by the fast time. "Everything in training pointed towards my being able to run faster than one minute 43 seconds."

There was more good news for the Swiss with the Ticinese 110m hurdler, Paolo De Santa, booking his place for Sydney. He ran an Olympic qualifying time of 13.58 seconds.

Bucher was one of four athletes to set a season's best time on Lausanne's famously fast track. There were season's bests for two-time world champion Cathy Freeman of Australia in the 400m and Allen Johnson of the United States in the 110m hurdles.

Debbie Ferguson of the Bahamas equalled a season's best in the 200m. Ferguson clinched victory in 22.43 seconds and held off the challenge of France's Marie-José Pérec who finished a respectable second in her long-awaited comeback race.

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