Team USA's Brittany Bowe and Hilary Knight Get Engaged at Olympics

The couple met and fell in love during the 2022 Beijing Games.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Brittany Bowe, a speed skater, and Hilary Knight, the captain of the U.S. women's hockey team, announced their engagement on February 18 after Hilary proposed to Brittany at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The couple first connected during the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where they spent time together in the COVID-19 bubble and realized they had deeper feelings for each other.

Why it matters

The engagement of these two prominent U.S. Olympians is a heartwarming story that celebrates love and the power of the Olympic spirit to bring people together. Their relationship also highlights the increasing visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ athletes in professional sports.

The details

Hilary and Brittany had known each other for years but their relationship deepened during the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where they spent time together in the COVID-19 bubble. Brittany said she quickly realized Hilary would be in her life for a long time, and the couple has been inseparable since then, now sharing a home in Salt Lake City.

  • Hilary and Brittany first connected at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
  • Hilary proposed to Brittany at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City on February 18.

The players

Brittany Bowe

A speed skater on the U.S. Olympic team.

Hilary Knight

The captain of the U.S. women's hockey team.

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What they’re saying

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

— Hilary Knight (Instagram)

“When we got to know each other, [Hilary] was soft, genuine, kind, almost shy. That really sparked my interest.”

— Brittany Bowe (Olympics.com)

What’s next

The couple will return to Salt Lake City as fiancées and continue planning their wedding.

The takeaway

The engagement of Brittany Bowe and Hilary Knight is a heartwarming example of how the Olympic Games can bring people together and foster lasting connections, even in the midst of a global pandemic.