Britain were today awarded the world title in the women's 4x200 metres freestyle relay when swimming's governing body, FINA, upheld the disqualifications of Australia and the United States.
Britain finished third in Wednesday night's final but were elevated to first when the two teams that finished in front of them were both disqualified.
The second-placed US team were disqualified first after their second swimmer, Cristina Teuscher, had left her block 0.06 seconds - twice the allowed time - before lead-off swimmer Natalie Coughlin touched.
Minutes later, Australia were also shown the dreaded "DQ" sign because one of their swimmers, Petria Thomas, had jumped into the pool to celebrate "victory" before the last team, Italy, had finished the race.
The rule, which is commonly known to swimmers, is designed to ensure that any swimmers still competing are not disadvanted by any backwash or waves created by other swimmers jumping in.
The US team protested that the touchpad at the end of the lane had been faulty and were initially reinstated on Wednesday, which would have made them champions.
Australia also appealed against their disqualification saying they were prompted to jump in the pool by a photographer while Britain and Japan protested against the reinstatement of the Americans amid chaotic scenes on the pool deck.
FINA was unable to hear their appeals immediately because some of their senior officials had already left the pool before the last race took place and so the matter was left unresolved and the medal ceremony cancelled.
FINA's jury of appeal eventually heard the case this morning and took around two hours before deciding to throw out the Australian and US protests and give Britain its first-ever global swimming relay title and their first world championship title in more than a quarter of a century.