Cover Olympic badminton gold medallist Huang Yaqiong and teammate Liu Yuchen got engaged at the games (Photo: Getty Images)
Olympic badminton gold medallist Huang Yaqiong and teammate Liu Yuchen got engaged at the games (Photo: Getty Images)
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Wedding proposals, warm embraces and even a kiss between exes—we look back on the emotional moments between athletes that made us swoon at the Paris Olympics
The Paris Olympics, which wrapped up over the weekend, saw athletes break records both on and off the field.
The most surprising one was probably that the sports event set the record for the highest number of marriage proposals, with seven couples betrothed—while others shared moments of affection with each other. It’s no wonder they call Paris the City of Love.
Below, Tatler highlights the rom-com-like moments from the Games that are sure to make you swoon.
In case you missed it: How Gen Z athletes like China’s Huang Yuting and the USA’s Stephen Nedoroscik are putting style front and centre at the Olympics
1. Armand Duplantis and Desiré Inglander in sweet embrace
Swedish Olympian Armand “Mondo” Duplantis made a beeline for his longtime girlfriend, 23-year-old Swedish model Desiré Inglander, after breaking the world record for pole vaulting and earned a gold medal.
Cheered on by loved ones and onlookers, the pair sealed the historic moment with a kiss.
Inglander, who was in the stands, had the best view of Duplantis’ victory. She captured a video of his winning jump and shared it on social media. The video starts with Inglander covering her mouth in anticipation, then moves to show Duplantis clearing a record-breaking height of 6.25 metres—before jumping into her arms.
She added a supportive caption to the video, writing “forever your biggest fan”. Duplantis later reposted the video on his Instagram.
2. Game, set, match for former couple Katerina Siniakova and Tomas Machac
The heartwarming victory of Katerina Siniakova and Tomas Machac, formerly a couple, in the Olympic tennis mixed doubles final captured the attention of their fans, who are now rallying for a rom-com to be made about them.
The pair, representing team Czechia, dated for four years before separating. They decided to compete together at the Games, and their emotional reunion after clinching their gold medal sent social media into overdrive.
In a clip that has gone viral, Siniakova and Machac can be seen sharing a teary-eyed kiss on the court after their win. This act of PDA has sparked speculation about a possible reconciliation between the two athletes—something which neither has confirmed.
3. Huang Yaqiong and Liu Yuchen get engaged
After team China badminton player Huang Yaqiong won gold, her 29-year-old boyfriend and teammate Liu Yuchen got down on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage.
Huang was seen all smiles with her gold medal—and engagement ring.
4. Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall in a teary-eyed hug after her win
After team USA track and field Olympian Tara Davis-Woodhall won the long-jump final, she ran into the arms of her husband Hunter Woodhall.
Woodhall was captured looking into the athlete’s eyes and exclaiming she is now “an Olympic champion”. The moment of joy and exhilaration has since gone viral on social media.
5. Gianmarco Tamberi writes his wife a love letter after losing his wedding ring in the Seine
During the games' opening ceremony, Italian high jumper and Olympic flag bearer Gianmarco Tamberi lost his wedding ring in the Seine river.
Tamberi later wrote a post on Instagram in apology to his wife, Chiara Bontempi Tamberi.
Explaining that “too much [rain] water, too many kilos lost in the last few months or perhaps the uncontainable enthusiasm of what we were doing” had led to his wedding ring slipping off. “I heard it slip away, I saw it fly... I followed it with my eyes until I saw it bounce inside the boat.” He also suggested a renewal of wedding vows is on the cards—something that especially won fans over.
