Speedskater Brittany Bowe may not have won a medal, but she walked away from the 2026 Winter Olympics with a precious memory. Her girlfriend, hockey player Hilary Knight, proposed to her right before the gold medal game. Both women shared the moment on Instagram, dressed in their Team USA gear.
“Olympics brought us together. This one made us forever,” Knight wrote, capturing the joy of their engagement. Bowe has won two Olympic bronze medals in the past but didn’t take home any hardware this year. Knight, a four-time medalist, is on the brink of securing her fifth medal in a highly anticipated match against Canada.
The couple’s love story began at the 2022 Beijing Games. Due to COVID restrictions, they spent a lot of time getting to know each other away from the hustle of the competitions. “To have that human connection, even walking outside at a distance, was really cool,” Knight said in an interview.
Bowe quickly recognized that Knight was someone special. “She’s a powerful athlete, but she’s also genuine and kind. That really sparked my interest,” Bowe shared. Their engagement sparked excitement among fellow Olympians, many of whom replied with congratulations on social media. Olympic rugby star Ilona Maher joyfully commented, “happy days,” while retired figure skater Adam Rippon expressed his excitement in a more playful manner.
This isn’t the only love story from the Winter Olympics. Recently, skier Breezy Johnson also got engaged at the base of a super-G run. Her fiancé included a heartfelt inscription in the ring box, referencing Taylor Swift’s song “The Alchemy,” which speaks about love over trophies. Swift even congratulated the couple on Instagram.
As these relationships blossom, they bring a human touch to the Olympic experience, reminding us that athletes are not just competitors but also individuals with rich personal lives. The Olympics often serve as a backdrop for new beginnings, showcasing the power of connection and love amidst the competition.
For more insights on relationships in sports, you can explore studies on athlete partnerships and their impact, which reveal how mutual support can drive success both on and off the field.
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