At the Paris Olympics 2024, romance is stealing the spotlight alongside athletic achievements. The City of Light has become a backdrop for heartwarming love stories and memorable proposals adding a touch of magic to the Games. From unexpected engagements to touching moments between athletes and their partners love is truly in the air, making this year’s Olympics unforgettable.
A GOLDEN MOMENT
Huang Yaqiong, a badminton player from China will always cherish his experience at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Together with Zheng Siwei they won the gold medal in the mixed doubles. They did it in spectacular fashion defeating Kim Won-ho and Jeong Na-eun of South Korea 21-8, 21-11 in just 41 minutes. It was a happy occasion and avenged their last loss in Tokyo.
Huang’s partner, Liu Yuchen, a men’s doubles player who finished in the group stage in Paris and won silver in Tokyo, was waiting at La Chapelle Arena to see the medal presentation. However, the City of Love had more in store for Huang. To the delight of the applauding audience, Liu surprised Huang with a ring and proposed on one knee after presenting her with a bouquet.
"I’ll love you forever! Will you marry me?"
— Li Zexin (@XH_Lee23) August 2, 2024
"Yes! I do!"
OMG!!! Romance at the Olympics!!!❤️❤️❤️
Huang Yaqiong just had her "dream come true", winning a badminton mixed doubles gold medal🥇with her teammate Zheng Siwei
Then her boyfriend Liu Yuchen proposed! 🎉🎉🎉 pic.twitter.com/JxMIipF7ij
Huang described the proposal as “very surprising,” given her intense focus on the match. “I got engaged and won an Olympic gold medal today,” she remarked. “I think the ring fits my finger really well.” Videos of the sweet proposal quickly went viral, with many people sharing and circulating them.
A PROPOSAL AT THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE
Pablo Simonet and Pilar Campoy were in Paris, in love even before the Olympics began. Simonet, an Argentine handball player, stunned his ten-year girlfriend Campoy with a marriage proposal just one day before the Opening Ceremony. The video of the proposal went viral on social media. Campoy plays for the Argentina national hockey team.
Reports state that Simonet chose to surprise his girlfriend by getting players from both sides to pose for a group photo. Simonet got down on one knee in front of Campoy while they were posing for the picture. Before accepting the request, the famous hockey player from Argentina was initially shocked.
Players from the Argentine handball and hockey teams could be seen supporting the adorable pair in the background. Simonet and Campoy met through the sport. Social media served as their primary means of communication at first because Campoy was based in Argentina and Simonet was based in France.
Italy flagbearer loses wedding ring in Seine
Italian gold medalist Gianmarco Tamberi apologized to his wife Chiara Bontempi after accidentally dropping his wedding ring into the Seine River during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. On Instagram, he attributed the mishap to his recent weight loss.
“Too much water, too many kilograms lost in the previous few months, and perhaps our unbridled enthusiasm for the work we were performing.” Most likely all three things,” he continued.
After winning gold at the European Championships and leaping into the arms of Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella last month, Tamberi feigned to have springs hidden in his shoes. Tamberi’s wild celebration after sharing gold with his close friend Mutaz Barshim at the Tokyo Games garnered more attention than his performance.
Tamberi, together with Errigo, had the privilege of flying to Paris on the presidential plane with Mattarella, which he described as “the most emotional flight of my life.”
Tamberi claimed to have seen the ring fall from his finger as Italy floated down the Seine on a boat with Jamaica and Israel.
“I followed it until I saw it bounce inside the boat,” he said. “But the rebound went in the wrong direction, unfortunately. … But if it had to happen, if I really had to lose this ring, I couldn’t imagine a better place. It will remain forever on the riverbed in the City of Love.”
Tamberi is favoured to win another gold when the men’s high jump competition starts on 7 August.
“Hopefully this is a sign that I’ll come home with an ever bigger gold medal,” he said.
Tamberi invited his wife to throw her ring into the Seine, too.
“Then they’ll be together forever,” Tamber said, “and we’ll have another reason to renew our vows.”
A marriage proposal in Paris next to the Eiffel Tower
The Olympic Games in Paris in 2024 have provided another example of the city of love living true to its name. One of the Spanish competitors was taken aback since, in addition to the amazing sporting achievement of qualifying for this world event, she had one of the most memorable moments of her life. Laura Martínez, who was part of the National Judo Team that came close to winning bronze on Saturday, received a marriage proposal from her partner in front of the Eiffel Tower.
There will always be Paris. If not, simply inquire with Laurita Martínez. From the Spanish Olympic Committee’s Instagram account, they said on Tuesday, July 30, “Spain’s heart beats stronger than ever.” José Antonio Aranda, a professional judoka, is her boyfriend.
There will always be Paris. If not, simply inquire with Laurita Martínez. From the Spanish Olympic Committee’s Instagram account, they said on Tuesday, July 30, “Spain’s heart beats stronger than ever.” José Antonio Aranda, a professional judoka, is her boyfriend.
For judoka Laura Martínez, Paris 2024 will always be remembered for her Olympic diploma and this unique moment by the Eiffel Tower. From the Higher Sports Council (CSD), they have also written, “We hope you will be very happy together.”
To say that the athlete was unforgettable would be an understatement. He is the tenth judoka in the world in the -48 kg class. She didn’t hesitate to respond when she saw her lover on his knees: “Yes, I do,” she wrote with excitement. Since Tuesday afternoon, she has received a barrage of messages on the comments wall.
