“Therese Alshammar has been disqualified from this morning’s heat and the world record will not stand,” Swimming Australia spokesman Ian Hanson told AFP.

“Officials found that she did wear two swimsuits, which is against the Swimming Australia bylaws introduced late last year for this event.

“She has protested the decision and that appeal is being heard by the women’s referee.”

Alshammar recorded a time of 25.44 seconds in morning heats at the world championship trials here, shaving 0.02 seconds off her previous world-best time, set in June 2007.

The 31-year-old is swimming at the Australian meet as a training foreigner, and would not be allowed to compete in the semi finals or finals.

Swimming Australia introduced the one-suit regulation after last year’s Beijing Olympics, when a number of competitors wore two suits in a bid to increase their buoyancy and reduce friction.

The decision to strip Alshammar of the record was taken after five hours of negotiations between officials and her representatives.

She is the first swimmer to be disqualified under the new suit rules. Her appeal is expected to be heard later Tuesday.