This summer, the Olympics occurred in Paris, France, the iconic “City of Love”. While the periodic games commemorated the world’s most talented athletes, competitors were celebrated this year for their incredible displays of friendship and connection. Here is a list of the most magical moments of romance, friendship, and unity from the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

1. Love Lost and Found 

While cruising down the Seine river on July 26th for the opening ceremony, Italian High jumper, Gianmarco Tamberi, woefully lost his wedding ring in the deep blue. However, Tamberi was strikingly able to turn this tragedy into an emblem of devotion. 

“It will stay forever in the riverbed of the city of love. I think there might be a huge poetic side to yesterday’s misdeed, and if you want, we’ll throw yours into that river too so they’ll be together forever, and we’ll have one more excuse to, like you’ve always asked, renew our vows and get married anew,” Tamberi said in an Instagram post devoted to his wife, Chiara Tamberi. 

2. Love takes Flight 

After a staggering leap of 7.10 meters, Tara Davis-Woodhall won gold in the women’s long jump and celebrated by immediately racing over to her husband, Paralympian Hunter Woodhall, a few seconds after landing. While running may not seem like the most romantic first date idea, it is how Davis and Woodhall first met at a high school track meet in 2017.

Later, in an interview reflecting on the moment he first saw her, Woodhall recalled saying “I’m gonna marry that girl.” Five years later, he kept his promise at a vineyard in McKinney, Texas, where Tara became Tara Davis-Woodhall. 

3.Nine Seconds, Nine Years 

The 2024 Olympics set the record for the most marriage proposals in the history of the Olympics, with an astonishing nine proposals. French track star Alice Finot was one of the few who left Paris with a gold medal and a fiance. 

After breaking the European record of 8:58:67 for the 3000-meter steeplechase, Finot proposed to her boyfriend, Bruno Martinez Bargiela, after a lucky encounter with the number nine. 

“I told myself that if I ran under nine minutes, knowing that nine is my lucky number and that we’ve been together for nine years, then I would propose,” she told reporters after getting down on one knee. 

4. Bridging Borders with a Selfie

In a moment that defied decades of division, an unexpected friendship blossomed between tennis players from the famously divided nations of North and South Korea. 

After competing against each other, the two teams came together for a selfie of diplomacy. The photo serves as a reminder that while politics may divide the north and south, the heartwarming culture of Korea remains unbroken. 

5. It’s a Girl!

As flabbergasted as swimmer Ryan Murphy was after winning a bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke race, no amount of practice could have prepared him for when he glanced up into the crowd after his swim and spotted his wife. With a wide smile, Bridget Murphy held up a sign that read, “Ryan, it’s a girl,” from the stands. 

 “Of all the medals you’ve won in your career, this one is by far the most special. Our biggest dream has come true,” Bridget stated in her gender reveal post on Instagram.

6. Golden Proposal

American rower Justin Best not only brought home USA’s first gold in the event, but also a fiance when he proposed to his girlfriend of nine years, Lainey Duncan. When he got down on one knee, his family stood by, holding 2,738 yellow roses, representing the number of days in their Snapchat streak over the years. 

“I got the gold and the girl, and she got the diamond,” he told Today while reflecting on the enchanting moment. 

7. A Bow Down to Brilliance

 In a moment of admiration, American gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bowed down to gymnast Rebeca Andrade, representing Brazil, during the medal ceremony after she won gold for her breathtaking performance during the women’s gymnastics floor exercise final. 

While some might expect turbulent competition to breed amongst the gymnasts, Biles made it clear in a press conference that this was not the case. 

“I don’t wanna compete with Rebeca no more,” she joked. “I’m tired, she’s way too close. I’ve never had an athlete that close, so it definitely put me on my toes and it brought out the best athlete in myself.”

The 2024 Olympics highlighted not just athletic achievement, but the power of love and friendship. From marriage proposals to friendships across borders, Paris truly became the city of love.