THIS IS GETTING KIND OF "CHEEKY"

A SWIMMER WON A RACE . . . EVEN THOUGH HIS SUIT HAD TORN OPEN AND EXPOSED HIS BACKSIDE:

On Sunday, American Ricky Berens was stretching before his leg in a freestyle relay race at the World Swimming Championships in Rome when the back of his swimsuit RIPPED open . . . exposing his backside for everyone to see.

But Ricky competed anyway, and his team went on to win the race. (--If Ricky's name sounds familiar, it's probably because he won a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in the 4 by 200 meter freestyle relay, along with MICHAEL PHELPS.)

And guess what? The exact same thing that happened to Ricky on Sunday also happened to an Italian swimmer named Flavia Zoccari last month. Check out photos of both their wardrobe malfunctions below. . .)(Fan House)