Pearls in the Pool: For Olympians Only

I have strong opinions about how people should treat their fine jewelry, and that includes a no-pool policy for any pieces you want to keep in peak condition.

But I’ll make an exception for Olympic athletes, like swimmer Kathleen Baker, whose pearl stud earrings are her signature look.  Let’s face it: There aren’t too many other fashion statements she can make in the water. Plus, Olympians who lose their jewelry can always round up an earring search party, which is what happened when Baker lost one of her studs during a preliminary swim at the Rio Olympics on Sunday.  A scuba diver rescued the pearl from the nearly 10-foot-deep pool …

… meaning that Baker was appropriately bejeweled when she won her silver medal in the 100m women’s backstroke.

I’m also pleased to see U.S.A. team members wearing plenty of gold. Swimmer Katie Ledecky got her second gold medal tonight, two days after setting a world-record time in the women’s 400-meter freestyle. The “Final Five” women’s gymnastic team was covered in gold (and who can get enough of Simone Biles and Laurie Hernandez?)

And, of course, swimmer Michael Phelps — the winningest Olympian of all time — won his 20th and 21st gold medals in Rio this week. FitzRoy the cat was so awestruck by the achievement that he’s devoted himself to perfecting Phelps’s game face.

I love that #PhelpsFace was trending on Twitter for hourss. You can check out some of the memes here. And don’t miss CBS’s Phelps Face tour de force tweet.

Apparently, the owner of the last Summer Olympics meme face — gymnast McKayla Maroney — is relieved to pass that torch.