The Paris 2024 Olympics broke the record for the most marriage proposals ever at an Olympic event! How romantic is that?
I’m all about sports, no doubt! But you know what gets my heart racing even more? LOVE! And guess what? This year at the 2024 Olympics, it’s not just about the medals in Paris.
The City of Love is sparkling brighter than ever with gold, silver, bronze, and a sprinkle of diamonds everywhere you look, theygossip.com reports.
And guess what? There have already been at least seven lovebirds getting engaged amidst all the athletic drama!
You heard it right, the Olympic rings aren’t the only ones getting some attention this time! I’m super excited! I’m living my best life!
And as someone who would totally choose an Olympic torch over a public proposal any day, I’m all for this.
So, to celebrate love, let’s take a look at the couples who have popped the question and made it official with their special someone.
Oh, and we will also discuss the part of the public proposal and all the things that could go wrong and right!!
Justin Best and Lainey Duncan
Team USA rower Justin Best totally went all out with his proposal to his girlfriend Lainey Duncan, and honestly, it’s probably the most extra thing on this list and the most Gen Z proposal ever!!
You won’t believe how he popped the question! He managed to gather a whopping 2,738 yellow roses, which totally represents their insane Snapchat streak. Like, 2,738 days? That’s wild! Maybe love is actually a thing after all.
Lainey might not be an Olympian herself, but she’s been Justin’s biggest cheerleader since day one.
When he finally achieved his dream and snagged that gold medal, he popped the question, and it was like a double win—he got the gold, and she got the bling!
Justin Best proposing to his girlfriend/Instagram
Huang Ya Qiong and Liu Yuchen
After Huang Yaqiong snagged the gold medal in mixed doubles badminton, her Olympic partner had a sweet surprise waiting for her.
Liu Yuchen, who plays men’s doubles, presented Huang with a beautiful bouquet and dropped to one knee to pop the question right in front of the crowd at La Chapelle Arena.
So now, not only is she an Olympic gold medalist, but she’s also engaged and truly living her best life!
Huang Ya Qiong and Liu Yuchen/ Photo by: Louis Tato
Sarah Steyaert and Charline Picon
When two besties decide to get engaged on the same day and at the same time, like, *chef’s kiss*!!
Three years prior to Sarah Steyaert and her sailing partner Charlotte Picon competing in the Games, their boyfriends made a playful promise: if they snagged a gold or silver medal, they would pop the question.
Even though the duo only managed to secure a bronze, both guys were waiting on the shore with engagement rings in hand.
Sara and Charline/Getty Images
Alice Finot and Bruno Martínez Bargiela
Not every day do we get to see girls proposing to their partners first!! I like it when we do proposals the non-traditional way!
Alice Finot, a talented runner from France, took part in the women’s 3,000-metre steeplechase and finished in fourth place.
Even with tough competition all around, she managed to smash the European record with an impressive time of 8:58:67.
Overjoyed by her achievement, she decided to poop the question to her partner Spanish triathlete Bruno Martínes Bargiela.
Earlier that day, she had promised herself that if she could run under nine minutes—her lucky number and a nod to their nine years together—she would propose, and she totally followed through! Love is definitely in the air!
Alicent proposing to Bruno Matinez/Getty Images
Payton Otterdahl
Payton Otterdhal is a shot put athlete representing Team USA. Unfortunately, he came in fourth place in his event, just shy of making it to the podium.
However, Payton wasn’t about to let his Paris trip end on a down note, so he popped the question to his girlfriend, Maddy Nilles.
He shared the moment on Instagram, right by the Eiffel Tower, with the sweet caption: “Meanwhile, in the City of Love… I love you forever, Maddy Nilles!”
Payton proposing to his girl/Instagram
Alev Kelter and Kathryn Treder
Alev Kelter, the rugby star, was already on cloud nine after helping Team USA’s women’s rugby team snag the bronze medal.
But her Paris adventure took an even more delightful turn when she popped the question to her girlfriend, squash player Kathryn Treder.
Alev dropped to one knee right in front of her family, who had traveled all the way to support her during the competition.
Alev and Kathryn/Instagram
Pablo Simonet and Maria Pilar Campoy
Even before the first game kicked off, Argentinian field hockey star Maria Campoy was already a winner at the Olympics, thanks to her boyfriend, handball player Pablo Simonet, who proposed with a stunning engagement ring.
In a heartwarming video shared on Simonet’s Instagram, both the handball and field hockey teams from Argentina came together for a group shot, but then Simonet took a moment to pop the big question to Campoy.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Campoy shed some tears as she hugged her new fiancé, while their teammates celebrated the special moment behind them.
Pablo and Maria/Instagram
The Highs and Lows of Public Marriage Proposals
Public marriage proposals are now very common, combining excitement, love, and the chance for viral attention. Yet, this big display has its own advantages and challenges.
The Potential Upside
A public proposal can really leave a lasting impression, especially when it happens in a memorable place like a famous landmark or during a special event.
The whole scene tends to heighten the emotions involved, making it a moment that both partners will cherish forever.
When a couple gets engaged in front of a crowd, it’s like sharing their happiness with everyone around them.
The cheers and applause from strangers can really boost the excitement, turning the proposal into a joyful celebration that feels even more special.
Picking a unique location for the proposal can really personalize the experience and make it even more meaningful.
Whether it’s beneath the Eiffel Tower or at a beloved local eatery, the right setting can add an extra layer of magic to the occasion.
The Potential Downside
When a proposal happens in public, it can really put a lot of pressure on the person being asked.
They might feel like they have to say “yes” just because everyone is watching, even if they’re not completely sure about it, which could lead to some regret or an awkward situation later on.
If the response is “no” things can get super uncomfortable not just for the couple but also for everyone around them.
Public rejections can create a pretty embarrassing scene and leave everyone feeling a bit uneasy.
Public places can be pretty chaotic, and all the noise and distractions can take away from what should be a special moment.
This unpredictability might turn what was meant to be an intimate experience into something awkward or disappointing.
For some people, privacy is really important especially during such a personal moment.
Proposing in public might not sit well with someone who prefers to keep things low-key, which could lead to them feeling uncomfortable or reacting negatively.
