Ricky Berens wardrobe malfunction.

Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Ricky Berens and Peter Vanderkaay

Ricky Berens, Beijing Olympic gold medalist made swimming history of a different sort Sunday, July 31, 2009 when 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. U.S. anchor leg Cullen Jones urged Berens to forget the gaping hole and swim. Berens dived in and swan for his life in the third leg as scheduled.

“It felt like they're was a bunch of extra weight around like a bag of water,” he said. “I was trying hard not to focus on the suit. I've never ripped a suit before.” 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, and he did...put on quite a show, finishing in fourth place and securing a spot in the finals of the Team US. When the finals rolled around Ricky had anew suit renewed confidence amd along with his team they brought home the gold.

(L-R)US relay teammates Ryan Lochte, David Walters, Ricky Berens and Michael Phelps win the men's 4x200m freestyle final at the FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome

Way to go Ricky!