Hilary Knight (left) and Brittany Bowe (right) are both US athletes and will be competing at the 2026 Olympics. © Social Media

Proposal just before the final: Olympic athletes get engaged

That the Winter Olympics are not just about sports is proven by the third engagement during the Games. This time, two American women are in the spotlight.

February 18, 2026

From: dpa

For US ice hockey player Hilary Knight, these Winter Olympics are already a golden success – regardless of the outcome of her team's final against Canada. The 36-year-old is engaged to US speed skater Brittany Bowe. Knight posted a video on Instagram in which she proposes to her partner. "The Olympics brought us together," Knight wrote.

Knight and Bowe, a two-time Olympic bronze medalist, actually met at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Things became more serious in Beijing in 2022. "We really got to know each other in Beijing – and we've been practically inseparable ever since," said Bowe. The Winter Games in Italy will be the last for both athletes. Knight, competing in her fifth Olympics, has so far celebrated one gold and three silver medals with the USA. Another medal is guaranteed in the final on Thursday evening (7:10 pm) in Milan.

Even the Olympic ski champion received an application.

There was already an engagement between athletes in Milan on Valentine's Day. Jean-Luc Baker, former American Olympic ice dancer, proposed to ice dancer Olivia Smart, who competed for Spain at this year's Games, in the rain.

Breezy Johnson also received an application during the 2026 Olympics. © ANSA / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT

In addition, downhill Olympic champion Breezy Johnson from the USA received a marriage proposal from her long-time boyfriend Connor Watkins after her Super-G in Cortina d'Ampezzo – even pop star Taylor Swift congratulated her on social media.