Hilary Knight, Brittany Bowe Get Engaged Ahead of Final Olympic Games

The U.S. power couple fell in love at the last Winter Olympics and will compete in their last Games in Milan Cortina.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Hilary Knight, a 10-time world champion and four-time Olympic medalist in women's hockey, has announced her engagement to fellow Olympic medalist Brittany Bowe. The couple met at the last Winter Olympics in Beijing and have been inseparable since. The 2026 Milan Cortina Games will be the final Olympics for both Knight and Bowe, who are looking to cap off their illustrious careers with gold medals.

Why it matters

The engagement of the two U.S. Olympic stars highlights the growing acceptance and visibility of LGBTQ+ athletes in sports. Knight and Bowe's love story also demonstrates the power of the Olympics to bring people together, even at the end of their competitive careers.

The details

Knight, 36, has said the 2026 Games will be her last, and she is already the U.S. women's hockey record holder for most Winter Games appearances. She has won gold and three silver medals in her career. Bowe, 37, is a two-time bronze medalist in speed skating and will compete in her final Olympic event, the 1500m, on Friday.

  • Knight and Bowe fell in love at the last Winter Olympics in Beijing four years ago.
  • Knight announced her engagement to Bowe on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
  • The 2026 Milan Cortina Games will be the final Olympics for both Knight and Bowe.

The players

Hilary Knight

A 10-time world champion and four-time Olympic medalist in women's hockey who is competing in her final Olympic Games.

Brittany Bowe

A two-time bronze medalist in speed skating who is also competing in her final Olympic Games.

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What they’re saying

“We really got to know each other in Beijing and have really been inseparable ever since.”

— Brittany Bowe (Olympics.com)

“Olympics brought us together. This one made us forever.”

— Hilary Knight (Instagram)

What’s next

The U.S. women's hockey team, led by Knight, will face Canada in the gold medal match on Thursday. Bowe will compete in her final Olympic event, the 1500m speed skating race, on Friday.

The takeaway

The engagement of Hilary Knight and Brittany Bowe is a heartwarming moment that transcends sports, showcasing the power of the Olympics to bring people together and the growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ athletes in the world of competitive sports.