LONDON 2012: an American water polo player grabbed the bathing suit of a Spanish opponent, accidentally pulling it down far enough to reveal her nipple.

As NBC cameras aired the scene live during the network's afternoon telecast on Wednesday, an American water polo player grabbed the bathing suit of a Spanish opponent, accidentally pulling it down far enough to reveal her nipple.

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It was a quick shot and could have been missed by people other than eagle-eyed observers or Janet Jackson fans. There was a ripple over the nipple on Twitter, a sort of "did I just see what I thought I saw?" conversation that's much easier to have on social media. As recently as Athens in 2004, you could have seen this and been left to wonder by yourself. Now you can go on Twitter and post, "I think I just saw a nipple!" and have it be confirmed by dozens of others. One user wrote, "I didn't know water polo was so erotic."

[Photos: Hottest Olympic athletes]

Water polo looks tough enough from above the water. Diving into the depths of the pool reveals a chaotic scene of ferocity. Kicking, grabbing, pulling, punching, struggling -- it's all legal underwater. Players thrive on it. As NBC showed on Wednesday, it might be most dangerous to camera operators.

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1. Hottest Olympic athletes
2. Stunning London pics from National Geographic
3. Ryan Lochte making waves in London
4. Olympics: Day 5

Just like any wife who saw a photo on the Internet of her previously philandering husband sitting shirtless on a bar in a Barcelona nightclub with two young women, Vanessa Bryant was "embarrassed" and "furious" last week when she saw a photo of Kobe in a compromising spot at a Team USA basketball function in Barcelona, according to TMZ.

(TMZ)
TMZ says Vanessa wasn't upset because she thought Kobe was cheating on her; she was upset that he allowed himself to get in a position where such a picture was taken. The couple has had a tumultuous public relationship. They recently called off divorce proceedings in an attempt at reconciliation.

[Related: Full video coverage of the 2012 Olympic Games in London]

How did Kobe manage to get in that spot in the first place? A source tells TMZ that a drink spilled on his shirt and he was waiting for a replacement.
(TMZ)
Vanessa flew to London with the couple's two daughters over the weekend to see Kobe and Team USA start the basketball competition. The trip was planned before the photograph hit the Web.

[ Photos: Hottest Olympic athletes ]

Kobe and Team USA are 1-0 in the Olympic tournament. They are 55-point favorites on Tuesday night against Tunisia.
Team USA was in Barcelona playing exhibitions and celebrating the 20th anniversary of the original Dream Team. What's the old saying: When in Barcelona, do as the Barkley did?
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