Another day another swimsuit world record controversy

Frenchman Alain Bernard recently set the 100 meter freestyle world record with a time of 46.94-second.

That time smashed the record set by Australian Eamon Sullivan at the Beijing Games last year.

But now Australia's head swim coach is crying foul because the swimsuit Bernard was a prototype suit pending approval from swimming authorities.

"I think it would set a dangerous precedent if this was approved and everyone will be watching it," Alan Thompson told The Australian newspaper on Monday.

"It's a bit like the situation when Libby (Trickett) broke the world record racing Michael Phelps and her record was not ratified.

"That was not an approved event and this is not an approved suit."

According to the Guardian Newspaper:

"New performance-boosting bodysuits covered with polyurethane to aid buoyancy triggered a row at the French championships, with some coaches and swimmers decrying them as unfair and criticising governing body FINA for not having clearer rules.

After the record-breaking swim, Bernard was soundly beaten by Frederick Bousquet by 0.36 seconds in the final, after eschewing the unapproved suit for an older one.

Bernard said the slower swim, more than half a second shy of his semi-final result, was due to nerves and a problem with his goggles.

The new suit, produced by Bernard's sponsor Arena, had been sent to FINA for ratification before a deadline last month, a company official at the manufacturer said on Sunday."