Winter Olympian's Post-Competition Romance Blossoms with Devoted Fan
Sophia Kirkby, the Team USA doubles luge athlete who captured attention by declaring herself the "most eligible bachelorette" at the Winter Olympics, has successfully transitioned from athletic pursuit to romantic adventure. Following a fifth-place finish in Cortina, the 24-year-old has remained in the Olympic village, where she is now dating a fan who boldly initiated contact through social media.
From Ice Tracks to Instagram Stories
Kirkby and her luge partner Chevonne Forgan narrowly missed the podium in the doubles event, finishing approximately one second behind the victorious Italian pair. Rather than returning home disappointed, Kirkby decided to extend her stay and embrace the Olympic experience beyond competition. She has been actively sharing her journey with her 39,000 Instagram followers, creating profiles on dating apps like Hinge and Tinder while publicly appealing to American snowboarder Jake Pates for a date.
The romantic breakthrough came when an enterprising fan from the United States, currently residing in the United Kingdom, slid into her direct messages two weeks prior. According to Kirkby's interview with the New York Post, the fan proposed an unconventional plan: "He said, 'Hey, I just found out I have the 13th to 16th off. Would it be weird if I came and booked an Airbnb five minutes from you?'" Kirkby responded positively, and the fan promptly flew to Cortina specifically to meet her.
A Carefully Documented Courtship
Kirkby has maintained her mystery date's privacy while generously sharing glimpses of their time together. She posted an initial video announcing "I have my first date scheduled tomorrow," followed by photos from their first Cortina date featuring pizza and her companion's face obscured by a USA pin. The couple's Valentine's Day celebrations included a spa and sauna visit, with Kirkby sharing images of them in bathrobes and describing the experience as "the loveliest spa date."
"Had the loveliest spa date today—bathrobes, sauna time, and a little reset after the most intense couple weeks of my life. Keeping his face private, but I’ll say this: the company was very good and the vibes were very calm," she wrote in one caption. The evening progressed to a Michelin-star dinner, which Kirkby documented with appreciation for both the experience and her companion's presence.
Olympic Village Privileges and Personal Time
Kirkby explained her ability to remain in Cortina post-competition, noting that Team USA is among the few national teams that pay for athletes to stay in the Olympic village throughout the games. "I’m fortunate that I’m one of the countries that gets to stay in the Olympic Village," she told the New York Post. "The majority of my competitors I saw leave today, but fortunately for me, Team USA is one of the few countries that pays a premium for us to be here the entire time. So I’m just gonna have fun. It’s my vacation time."
Her social media continues to reflect this celebratory spirit, with videos captioned "Living my best life + meeting cute boys" assuring followers that she's responsibly enjoying her well-earned break after intense athletic preparation. This unique post-Olympic narrative combines elite sports, social media engagement, and modern romance, offering a refreshing perspective on athlete life beyond competition.
