'Bob the Cap Catcher' becomes unexpected sensation following viral Olympic moment

Hats off to the "cap catcher."

(NEXSTAR) – An Olympic lifeguard in a skimpy swimsuit became the breakout star of Sunday’s swimming events after he answered a call to retrieve a swimmer’s cap.

Dubbed “Bob the Cap Catcher” by NBC Sports commentators, the man strolled out to the pool wearing only a floral-print brief-style swimsuit after Emma Weber of Team USA lost one of her bathing caps during a preliminary round.

“Is there anything better on the pool deck other than that Speedo right there?” one of the announcers remarked.

The lifeguard, as seen in a widely viewed video clip shared by NBC, then dived to the bottom of the pool to retrieve the white bathing cap. Spectators in the crowd could be heard erupting in cheers has he emerged from the pool holding the cap above his head.

“Does that guy get a name? ‘The Cap Catcher’?” one of the commenters asks.

“That’s what we need to call him. Bob the Cap Catcher,” the other announcer responds.

Plenty of viewers at home also quickly took a liking to “Bob,” judging by the reactions on social media.

“Not all heroes wear capes,” one X user wrote. “Some wear floral print Speedos.”

In a statement shared with the Huffington Post and CNN, a representative for the Paris Olympics confirmed that lifeguards are often the go-to personnel for retrieving foreign objects from the pool, as they’re already wearing swimming gear.

CNN also reported that “Bob” had chosen to keep his identity private, so as not to distract from the competition.

In any case, Bob the Cap Catcher continued to enjoy a bit of viral fame on social media as of Monday morning, even prompting praise from Snoop Dogg, who is helping to cover the 2024 Games from Paris.

“That’s Bob, that’s my guy Bob the Cap Catcher,” Snoop said during a recap of Sunday’s Olympic activity. “Let’s go, Bob. I love his ensemble too. What an outfit.”