The rain can't stop the reign

Amid sheets of morning gray, the only thing that made sense was the gold.

It's around the necks today of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, for a second consecutive Olympics, in their 108th consecutive victory.

One day, that medal may even dry.

"This is just another reason why we play in bathing suits," May-Treanor said with a grin.

Just when you thought Southern California's best sports dynasty could spike it no farther, they have now claimed a beach volleyball championship while rolling around under a cold shower with thousands cheering against them.

In a driving rainstorm, the Americans defeated China's Tian Jia and Wang Jie in straight sets, 21-18, 21-18, identical scores for seemingly identical champions.

After playing flawlessly together, Walsh and May-Treanor collapsed in tears together in the sand, hugging for the longest time, one giant white bikini under one giant wet ponytail.

Said Walsh to her teammate: "I don't know what to say, you're so great."

Said May-Treanor later: "Kerry and I love each other."

Then, standing on the podium, just before the playing of the national anthem, Walsh put her hand behind her back and wiggled her fingers.

May-Treanor, standing behind her, reached out and clutched those fingers, the two champions standing hand-in-hand throughout the national anthem.

Said Walsh: "I'm a blessed girl. To have such an amazing partner and do this amazing thing with her . . . so many emotions."

Said May-Treanor: "I thought I wouldn't be as emotional as I was, there's no words to describe this."

Well, here's a word.

Goodbye?

There is some thought that this could be the final act for one of the greatest duos in sports history. Walsh is 30, May-Treanor is 31, both are married and both have said they would like to have children.

Before the Olympics, when asked by Times reporter Chris Hine what they thought they would be doing a year from now, Walsh said, "Hopefully, we'll both be pregnant. Pregnant, but with two gold medals."

Well, now that the pesky medals business has been dealt with, could it be time for the really important stuff?

Watching them work flawlessly together in the worst of conditions -- isn't it dumb that beach volleyball plays in the rain? -- one wonders if this wasn't their farewell.