US athlete Justin Best achieved a historic feat at the Paris Olympics, securing a gold medal in the men’s four rowing class, the country’s first in this category since 1960. But for Best, the ‘best day of his life’ was yet to come. On Monday, in a moment that was broadcast live on television, he proposed to his girlfriend in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower, surrounded by thousands of yellow roses.
The romantic gesture was a fitting conclusion to a remarkable week for the athlete. With the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop and amidst cheers from onlookers, Best got down on one knee, presenting his girlfriend with a ring. He told USA Today, “Each yellow rose represents a day that you and I have been together. Our streak on Snapchat is 2,738 days right now. So there are 2,738 yellow roses from Snapchat. Our love is truly now immortalised. I am so, so happy. This is the best day of my life.”
Best’s heartwarming proposal comes just days after another Olympic athlete, Chinese badminton player Liu Yuchen, proposed to his teammate Huang Yaqiong, moments after she won gold in the mixed doubles. Huang, who was caught off guard, shared her surprise with the Associated Press, stating through an interpreter, “For me, the proposal is very surprising because I have been preparing for the game. Today I am an Olympic champion and I got proposed (to), so that’s something I didn’t expect.”
This trend of on-field proposals highlights the personal side of Olympic competition, blurring the lines between athletic achievement and personal milestones. While Liu Yuchen’s proposal came after his teammate’s victory, his fellow gold medalist, Zheng Siwei, shared that he had proposed to his partner three years ago, after losing a final. He described this victory, and the proposal, as a much sweeter experience.
Best, along with his teammates Liam Corrigan, Michael Grady, and Nick Mead, achieved a significant victory for the US rowing team, securing gold in the men’s four last week. This win was a testament to their dedication and perseverance. The team had narrowly missed out on medals at the Tokyo Games three years prior but went on to win silver at the world championships and gold at the world cup race in Lucerne earlier this year.
Their achievement marks a return to prominence for the US men’s four, who last stood on the Olympic podium in 2012, securing a bronze medal in the London Games.
