Team USA Stars Hilary Knight and brittany bowe Announce Engagement at Milan Cortina Olympics
Team USA athletes Hilary Knight and Brittany Bowe revealed they are engaged after a proposal at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The moment came on the eve of the U. S. women's hockey team's gold medal matchup with Canada, and it immediately became one of the most talked-about personal stories at these Games.
Proposal at the Games
The proposal was shared in a short video showing the couple in matching Team USA gear. In the clip, Knight drops to one knee and presents a red box and an engagement ring to Bowe. The caption that accompanied the footage read, "Olympics brought us together. This one made us forever. " The announcement landed amid the heightened emotions and global attention that come with an Olympic gold medal contest.
For both athletes, the Olympics have been more than a sporting stage; they have become a backdrop for deeply personal moments. This engagement follows several other romantic highlights at the Games, where celebrations and proposals have punctuated the competition schedule and underscored the unique intensity of the Olympic environment.
A personal connection four years in the making
Knight and Bowe first met while representing their country at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and deepened their bond in the Olympic Village. Knight reflected on that time, noting that even with distancing and restrictions, the chance to connect on a human level stood out. She said, "To have that human connection, even walking outside at a distance, it was really cool. "
Bowe has spoken about discovering a side of Knight beyond the superstar athlete image. "Knowing her as a hockey player, it’s like this big, strong, powerful female, " Bowe said. "But then, when we got to know each other, she was soft, genuine, kind, almost shy. That really sparked my interest. " Their relationship grew inside the unique bubble of the Olympic environment, where long walks through the Village and late-night conversations became part of their routine.
Athletic careers and Olympic context
Brittany Bowe, a seasoned long-track speed skater and four-time Olympian, entered Milan Cortina with two Olympic bronze medals to her name. While she did not add to that total at these Games, she leaves with a new personal milestone. Bowe remained scheduled to compete in the women's 1, 500-meter race on Feb. 20, 2026 (Eastern Time).
Hilary Knight, captain of the U. S. women's hockey team and already a multiple Olympic medalist, was preparing for the gold medal rematch with Canada on Thursday (Eastern Time). The outcome of that game will determine whether Knight departs Milan Cortina with a fifth Olympic medal of gold or silver.
Their engagement is a reminder that the Olympics often produce stories that go beyond podium results — forging lasting personal connections amid intense competition. For teammates, rivals and fans, the moment offered a human counterpoint to the high stakes on the ice and ice track.
As the Games continue, both athletes will balance the final competitive commitments with the personal excitement of their announcement. Their engagement adds a celebratory note to the closing chapters of these Winter Olympics and highlights how Olympic experiences can ripple into life beyond sport.
