Breezy Johnson Engages and Wins Gold in Unforgettable Olympic Week
In a rollercoaster week at the Olympics, Alpine skier Breezy Johnson experienced both triumph and romance. Within days, she achieved the remarkable feat of winning a gold medal in the downhill event and received an engagement proposal from her boyfriend, Connor Watkins.
Breezy Johnson’s Golden Moment
On February 8, 2026, Breezy Johnson secured the first Olympic gold medal of her career during the downhill competition. This win came just days after she narrowly missed out on another medal and moments after a significant crash in the super-G.
An Unexpected Proposal
Just minutes after her crash, while Johnson was regrouping in the finish area, Watkins proposed to her. She accepted the engagement ring, a beautiful piece adorned with diamonds and sapphires. Johnson remarked that she had anticipated the proposal, having expressed a long-held dream of getting engaged during the Olympics.
Cortina: A Place of Ups and Downs
Reflecting on her experiences in Cortina, Johnson shared feelings of anxiety mixed with anticipation. Four years prior, she had suffered a catastrophic injury there, which impacted her previous Olympic dreams. She said, “Cortina has been one of the places with some of my fastest skiing, but it will bite you in the ass.” Despite past challenges, she embraced the hill, stating she felt good about her performances.
A Logistical Challenge
Watkins faced several challenges while planning the proposal. He had been designing the ring over the past year, and the timing of her crash added unexpected complications. “I’m hoping she’s OK, first and foremost,” he stated, waiting anxiously with the ring in his pocket.
- Engagement Ring: Diamond and sapphire
- Key Dates:
- February 8, 2026: Gold medal in downhill
- February 12, 2026: Engagement proposal
- Background:
- Met on Bumble two and a half years prior
- Watkins initially unaware of Johnson’s Olympic status
Despite the emotional ups and downs, Breezy Johnson left Cortina with both a gold medal and a stunning engagement ring. With her dreams realized both on the slopes and in her personal life, she quipped, “Who doesn’t want to leave with a couple of pieces of metal?”
