During the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, American speedskater Brittany Bowe announced her engagement to Team USA women’s hockey captain Hilary Knight. The proposal came on the eve of the highly anticipated gold medal match between the U.S. and Canada, hinting at the emotional and competitive atmosphere surrounding the event. Knight shared the joyous occasion on social media, emphasizing their bond rooted in shared Olympic experiences since they first met at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

Bowe, despite not winning an Olympic medal this time around, has a history of success with previous medals, including two bronze medals. Knight, a veteran athlete and a four-time Olympic medalist, is set to compete for her fifth medal, which will either be gold or silver, in what is shaping up to be a dramatic rematch against Canada. This engagement marks a notable intersection of their personal lives with their professional achievements in sports.

Knight has expressed how COVID-19 protocols during the 2022 Games reinforced the value of human connections, making this milestone even more meaningful. As they navigate their careers and the challenges of competing at such a high level, their engagement serves as a heartwarming reminder of the personal joys that can come from shared experiences in the demanding world of competitive sports.