CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Breezy Johnson experienced a whirlwind of emotions at the 2026 Winter Games this week. She snagged an Olympic gold medal and, just days later, received a marriage proposal.
After finishing her super-G race on Thursday, her partner, Connor Watkins, was waiting with an engagement ring. Johnson had long dreamed of an Olympic proposal, and it came true in a spectacular moment.
Their love story is modern. They first connected on Bumble. For their initial date, they shared brunch. “I had no idea who she was,” Watkins recalled. When he finally asked what she did for a living, he was surprised by her answer.
By the time they met in 2023, Johnson was already an accomplished athlete. She’d participated in one Olympics and had several top-ten finishes on the World Cup circuit. Meanwhile, Watkins, a Georgia native, felt out of his league. “I thought, ‘I’m out-kicking my coverage here,'” he admitted.
During the race, Johnson faced a tough course that sent 17 racers home early. Despite her determination, she lost control after a jump, hit a gate, and crashed into the netting. Thankfully, she managed to ski to the bottom on her own.
Watkins watched anxiously. “I was hoping she was okay first and foremost,” he said. He had a backup plan ready, in case things didn’t go well. A staff member discreetly checked on Johnson’s mood to see if she’d be receptive to a proposal afterward.
“I was feeling kind of stupid,” Johnson said about her crash. But when Watkins proposed, she felt surrounded by love. “His words were beautiful. I just cried and thought about how much I love him.”
This romantic story resonates widely on social media, reflecting how fans enjoy moments that blend sports and personal milestones. As Johnson shines in her sport and now in her personal life, it emphasizes the modern narratives of love and triumph in competitive arenas.
In today’s world, stories like Johnson and Watkins’ are uplifting reminders of how love can find its way even amidst the pressures of achievement. It shows that while winning gold may be the goal, personal happiness carries its own weight—something that resonates with many during these challenging times.
For more on Olympic sports and athlete stories, visit NPR.
