All the proposals that took place during the Paris Olympics ft. Justin Best and Lainey Duncan

Modified Aug 12, 2024 03:48 GMT

All the proposals that took place at fdh Paris Olympics (Image Source: @justin_besttt on Instagram)

As expected, the Paris Olympics saw some incredible feats of athleticism as the best of the best went against each other in a bid for gold. However, alongside the podium finishes, several athletes at the Games also stole the spotlight for their proposals.

As the marquee event began, a few athletes used the opportunity of the world's biggest stage to give their partners a ring, while some received proposals from their beaus. According to Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, the 2024 Olympics saw a record number of proposals. With that, here's every time someone got down on one knee at the Paris Olympics.

#9. Alessia Maurelli and Massimo Bertelloni

For Alessia Maureli, the Paris Olympics marked her third appearance at the Games, and this one brought a special surprise. After finishing with a bronze in the rhythmic gymnastics group event alongside her teammates, Maurelli got down from the podium to find her boyfriend Massimo Bertelloni waiting with a ring in his hand. She said yes, telling Olympics.com afterwards,

"I can't believe it. It's a very strange day. I think it's maybe one of the most beautiful days of my life. I will remember it forever, and I'm very happy. This ring and this medal smell of the future and I'm very happy to live this with my best friends. teammates, and with my future husband.”

#8. Huang Yaqiong and Liu Yuchen

Huang Yaquiong had a dream outing at the Paris Olympics, storming to the mixed doubles gold in badminton alongside on-court partner Zheng Siwei, three years after the duo had settled for silver in Tokyo. As Huang got down from the podium, she was met with a surprise proposal from boyfriend and fellow Olympian Liu Yuchen. Incidentally, three years ago, it was Huang’s on-court partner Zheng who had gotten engaged after the finals.

#7. Payton Otterdahl and Maddy Nilles

After narrowly missing out on a medal at the Paris Olympics after finishing fourth in the shot put, America's Payton Otterdahl made the most of his time in Paris. While touring the city, he proposed to his girlfriend Maddy Nilles in front of the Eiffel Tower, and announced the news on Instagram, writing,

"Meanwhile, in the City of Love... I love you forever, Maddy Nilles!

#6. Almir dos Santos and Talita Ramos

Brazil's Almir dos Santos had a disappointing outing at the 2024 Games, finishing a forgettable 11th in the triple jump. However, the athlete managed to steal the spotlight when he used his time at Stade De France to propose to his girlfriend Talilta Ramos, who was trackside during the competition.

#5. Alice Finot and Bruno Martinez Bargiela

Alice Finot had a fantastic outing in the 3000m steeplechase event at the Games, setting a new European record but missing out on the podium by three seconds. However, after the race, Finot used the opportunity to propose to her long-time partner, Spanish triathlete Bruno Martinez, presenting him with a pin that said ‘Love is in Paris.”

#4. Pablo Simonet and Maria Campoy

Before the chaos of the biggest sporting events of the world began, Argentina's handball player Pablo Simonet used the peace in the Olympic Village to propose to fellow Olympian and hockey player Maria Campoy. The two have been together for nearly a decade and competed at the 2016 Olympics as well.

#3. Charline Picon and Jean-Emmanuel Mestre

For women's skiff sailors, Sarah Steyaert and Charline Picon, there was more to the stake than a medal, as their respective partners had promised them a ring if they finished on the podium. For the Frenchwomen, both dreams came true, as they claimed bronze at the Paris Olympics, with Picon getting engaged to Jean-Emmanuel Mestre after the race, while Steyaert said yes to her long-time boyfriend.

#2. Kathryn Treder and Alev Kelter

Kathryn Treser stormed to a historic bronze in the Rugby Sevens at the Paris Olympics alongside Team USA, and she made the most of her trip to the City of Lights after her win. Touring the Museum of Modern Art, Treser proposed to fellow rugby player and girlfriend Alev Kelter, who naturally said yes.

#1. Justin Best and Lainey Duncan

On August 5th, American rower Justin Best claimed gold in the men’s four event alongside teammate Nick Mead, Michael Grady and Liam Corrigan at the Paris Olympics. Post this win, Best and co. went to the 'Today Show' to celebrate his winning, and proposed to his girlfriend Lainey Duncan live on national TV, surrounded by 2,738 yellow roses, family, and the Eiffel Tower in the background.

Edited by Vaishnavi Iyer