Olympic Stars Hilary Knight and Brittany Bowe Get Engaged

The couple, who met at the 2022 Winter Olympics, announced their engagement at the 2026 Games in Milan.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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American hockey player Hilary Knight, captain of the U.S. women's hockey team, proposed to speedskater Brittany Bowe during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. The couple, who started dating after the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, shared a video of the proposal on social media, with Bowe saying 'Yes.' Knight and Bowe are both competing in their final Olympics, with Knight leading the U.S. women's hockey team into the gold medal match against Canada, and Bowe racing in the 1500-meter event.

Why it matters

The proposal between the two Olympians highlights the unique bond that can form between athletes competing at the highest level. Knight and Bowe's relationship shows how sharing the Olympic experience can bring people together, even from different sports. Their engagement also represents a rare instance of a couple competing together at the Olympic Games.

The details

In the video posted to social media, Knight is seen getting down on one knee and proposing to Bowe, who is dressed in her Team USA gear. Bowe smiles and nods, saying 'Yes' to the proposal. The couple started dating after the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, where they both competed for the United States.

  • The proposal took place on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy during the 2026 Winter Olympics.
  • Knight will lead the U.S. women's hockey team into the gold medal match against Canada on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
  • Bowe's final race, the 1500-meter, will take place on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 4:30 a.m. eastern.

The players

Hilary Knight

The captain of the U.S. women's hockey team who proposed to her girlfriend, speedskater Brittany Bowe, during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Brittany Bowe

An American speedskater who accepted the proposal from her girlfriend, hockey player Hilary Knight, during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

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What they’re saying

“We come from two different worlds. We do two different sports, but we've really done and felt a lot of the same thing. So I think we are able to support each other very, very well in that sense of understanding.”

— Brittany Bowe (Town & Country)

“I think we've done a great job so far of knowing each other's space and being a support system. We both understand what the other is going through, and that's such a strength. I know what she needs on race days or during an Olympic push, and she knows what I need when I'm in game mode or with the team.”

— Hilary Knight (Town & Country)

What’s next

Knight will lead the U.S. women's hockey team into the gold medal match against Canada on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Bowe's final race, the 1500-meter, will take place on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 4:30 a.m. eastern.

The takeaway

The engagement between Hilary Knight and Brittany Bowe showcases the unique bond that can form between athletes competing at the highest level. Their relationship demonstrates how sharing the Olympic experience can bring people together, even from different sports, and represents a rare instance of a couple competing together at the Games.