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Beijing Olympic gold medalist Ricky Berens made swimming history of a different sort Sunday as he ripped the back of his swimsuit during a qualifying heat of the 4x100m relay freestyle at the World Swimming Championships in Rome.

Shortly before stepping up to the starting block, the University of Texas senior leaned down to stretch. That was when Ricky Berens’ swimsuit ripped …

Ricky Berens was alarmed, but undeterred by his swimsuit malfunction.

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“I kind of freaked out for just a second,” Berens said. “I felt like [the hole] was almost down to my knees. I felt like I was putting on a pretty good show.”

He was. Better yet? The U.S. qualified for finals and won.

Top that, Michael Phelps.