Since they kicked off on July 26, the Paris Olympics have given us world records, incredibly moving memories (remember when Team USA’s female gymnasts ran onto the podium with the American flag in hand after winning the gold?), and exciting firsts for several countries. But what has not been talked about enough is the myriad of romantic moments the Games have produced—from PDA between exes to emotional exchanges, and one proposal after the other!
Frankly, we wouldn’t expect anything less from the City of Love.
Ahead, we break down the most love-filled moments from the Games.
1
Alessia Maurelli gets engaged
Fresh off winning the group all-around bronze medal, rhythmic gymnast Alessia Maurelli of Italy (center) accepted a proposal from her partner Massimo Bertelloni, who she has been with for more than two years, according to her Instagram account. See the photos here.
2
Tara-Davis Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall
Tara-Davis Woodhall celebrated her gold medal in the long jump final with her husband, Hunter Woodhall, who is himself a track and field Paralympian. See the photos here.
3
Gabrielle Thomas and Spencer McManes
Gabrielle Thomas of Team United States won gold at the 200-meter final and ran to hug and kiss boyfriend Spencer McManes in a moment that has captivated fans around the world.
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4
Alice Finot proposed
Moments after French runner Alice Finot broke the European record in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase final, she ran to the stands where her boyfriend was sitting, and dropped to one knee to propose to him.
5
The “exes” who won the gold
Fans are begging Hallmark to make a rom-com about the Olympic tennis “exes,” Katerina Siniakova and Tomas Machac, who won first place in the tennis mixed doubles final and kissed. The pair, from Team Czechia, recently broke up after having dated for four years. But adorably, they still competed together at the Games, and after their last match, when they realized they would be taking home the gold, they shared a passionate, teary smooch on the court, sending the internet into a frenzy. (See the kiss here.)
“YOU CAN’T TELL ME THEY’RE NOT BACK TOGETHER. YOU CANT,” sports journalist Rodger Sherman posted alongside a clip of the pair’s post-victory press conference, during which they refused to confirm or deny reconciliation rumors.
“That’s our personal life, so you don’t need to know that,” Siniakova told a reporter who asked if they are “still together,” per the Associated Press. “We like when you are confused.”
Machac agreed, referring to their relationship status as “top secret.”
6
Huang Ya Qiong won gold—and a diamond
Right after Chinese badminton player Huang Ya Qiong won the gold with her partner in Paris, her boyfriend, Liu Yuchen, got down on one knee and popped the question. Social media users quickly blasted Liu Yuchen, accusing him of making the moment “all about him” (lol). But Huang Ya Qiong seems happy with both her gold medal and her diamond ring.
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7
Alev Kelter proposed
Alev Kelter proposed to her partner and fellow rugby player Kathryn Treder in Paris, moments after winning the bronze medal in the finals with the U.S. women’s rugby sevens team.
8
Noah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield
Seconds after Team USA track star Noah Lyles won the gold in the 400-meter, he sprinted straight to his girlfriend, Junelle Bromfield, who is herself a sprinter for Team Jamaica.
The power couple shared an emotional hug.
9
Gianmarco Tamberi wrote a poem to his wife
Italy’s Olympic high jumper and flag bearer Gianmarco Tamberi lost his wedding ring when it fell in the Seine river during the opening ceremony. But in a swoon-worthy move, he wrote a loving apology and ode to his wife, Chiara Bontempi Tamberi, after the incident.
“...I felt (the ring) slip away, I saw it fly … I followed (it) with a glance until I saw (it) bouncing inside the boat,” he wrote on Instagram in Italian alongside a photo of him and Chiara together on their wedding day.
“It will stay forever in the riverbed of the city of love, flown away while I tried to carry the Italian tricolor as high as possible during the opening ceremony of the most important sport evening in the world. If I had to invent an apology, I would never have been this imaginative,” he added. “I think there might be a huge poetic side to yesterday’s misdeed, and if you want, we’ll throw yours into that river, too, so they’ll be together forever, and we’ll have one more excuse to, like you’ve always asked, renew our vows and get married anew.”
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10
Jonathan Owens was Simone Biles's biggest fan
The NFL player cheered on his wife—now the most decorated Olympic gymnast in history—during her competitions, and was there to support her with a “Biles” T-shirt when she and her Team USA won gold at the all-around team finals.
Owen has also regularly gushed about Biles on his Instagram throughout the Games. After she won first place at the individual all-around, he wrote: “Another one!!!! You’re so amazing.”
11
Mondo Duplantis ran to his girlfriend
Swedish pole vaulter Armand “Mondo” Duplantis broke the world record for pole vaulting, earning a gold medal, at the Games. In videos of the moment, the 24-year-old athlete is seen celebrating his milestone by running straight to girlfriend Desire Inglander on the stands and giving her a passionate, teary kiss.
Fans on social media have been sharing the clip set to Taylor Swift’s “The Alchemy,” relating the Olympics moment to the pop star’s lyrics: “Where’s the trophy? He just comes runnin’ over to me.”
Rosa Sanchez
Senior News Editor
Rosa Sanchez is the senior news editor at Harper's Bazaar, working on news as it relates to entertainment, fashion, and culture. Previously, she was a news editor at ABC News and, prior to that, a managing editor of celebrity news at American Media. She has also written features for Rolling Stone, Teen Vogue, Forbes, and The Hollywood Reporter, among other outlets.
