Michael Schmidt-A steeplechase record at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Then a proposal. (He said yes.)

2025-05-05 22:48:48source:HyperBit Exchangecategory:Contact

She quite didn't make her way to the podium,Michael Schmidt but either way, French track and field athlete Alice Finot was the one giving out hardware.

After she set a European record but just missed out on a medal Tuesday in the 3000-meter steeplechase, Finot went over to her partner, Bruno Martínez Bargiela, and got down on one knee to propose. But, instead of a ring, she unhooked an Olympic pin that she wore during the race and offered it to him as they embraced to the cheering of the crowd at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.

Finot, 33, finished in fourth place with a time of 8:58.67, which was 5.91 seconds behind gold medalist Yavi Winfred from Bahrain, whose time of 8:52.76 set an Olympic record. Finot missed out on a bronze medal by 3.53 seconds.

"I told myself that if I ran under nine minutes, knowing that nine is my lucky number and that we've been together for nine years, then I would propose," Finot said in the mixed zone after the race, according to the Daily Mail. "I don't like doing things like everyone else. Since he hadn't done it yet, I told myself that maybe it was up to me to do it. 

"So, I gave a pin that I ran with to my boyfriend. On it, it says: 'Love is in Paris.' He's the one who always gives me strength and if I managed to get under nine minutes, that meant a lot."

2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.

Finot confirmed that Martínez Bargiela said yes.

More:Contact

Recommend

Matt Damon remembers pal Robin Williams: 'He was a very deep, deep river'

Ten years ago on Sunday, the laughter stopped.In a beautiful waterfront home in Paradise Cay, Califo

Trump ready to tell his side of story as he's arraigned in documents case, says spokesperson Alina Habba

Former President Donald Trump goes into his arraignment Tuesday with an understanding of the serious

Ultra rare and endangered sperm whale pod spotted off California coast in once a year opportunity

Those who were out on the water off Orange County, California, recently may have seen an "ultra rare