Love and Medals: Valentine's Day at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

Valentine's Day at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics might appear distinct from typical celebrations, but it retains a profound sense of significance. Beyond the pursuit of medals, hearts are swelling with affection across the icy arenas and snowy slopes, where love permeates the frosty atmosphere.

Romantic Gestures Amidst Competition

Some events seem blessed by Cupid's presence. Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam shattered an Olympic record in the 1000-meter race, only to spot her fiancé, Jake Paul, in the stands. Both overcome with emotion, they exchanged tearful heart signs. Similarly, downhill skiing champion Breezy Johnson received a surprise proposal from her longtime boyfriend near the finish line, surrounded by members of the U.S. Ski Team on Thursday.

An International Couple's Unique Bond

For athletes like Kim Meylemans of Belgium and Nicole Rocha Silveira of Brazil, Valentine's Day coincides with the women's skeleton finals, leaving no time for romantic dinners or gift exchanges. As an international couple competing for separate national teams, they expressed gratitude to their Olympic committees for arranging shared housing in Cortina's village, a rarity typically reserved for teammates. Their room is split between Belgian and Brazilian decorations.

Their love story blossomed during the pandemic, sharing short-term rentals when hotels closed. In 2024, they unknowingly purchased identical engagement rings and planned proposals on the same boat trip in Brazil, marrying last August. Before each skeleton run, they high-five and kiss, wishing each other success. Meylemans emphasized, "It doesn't matter which one is on the podium. At the end of the day, it's a victory for our team."

Rocha Silveira highlighted the importance of showcasing their relationship in Italy, where same-sex marriages lack recognition and only married heterosexual couples can adopt jointly. She stated, "It's a great place to 'show it even more,' and 'encourage and inspire people that they can be themselves.'"

Volunteers Sharing a Special Day

Lori and Curtis Brown, married for over three decades, are spending Valentine's Day volunteering at the skating arena. Among approximately 18,000 volunteers in navy blue uniforms across northern Italy, they perform duties like directing crowds and providing medical support. Curtis, 60, joked about hoping to coordinate breaks for a shared dinner, calling it "the most special Valentine's Day of our lives" due to their joint adventure.

While gifts aren't their priority, Lori, 61, bought boxer briefs from the official souvenir store, though Curtis hadn't purchased anything. She remarked, "It's not so much about gift giving, just going out and doing something together."

Olympian Couples Across Sports

Many other couples are present at the Games, adding to the romantic ambiance:

Canadian hockey forward Laura Stacey and her wife, team captain Marie-Philip Poulin, face Germany in the quarterfinals, appreciating their shared dream.
U.S. alpine skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin is engaged to Norway's Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, who returned from injuries.
Latvia's luge team includes husband-and-wife pair Martins Bots and Elina Bota.
Italy's Dominik Fischnaller and the U.S.'s Emily Sweeney married after a 15-year courtship.
U.S. bobsledding features Kaysha Love and Hunter Powell, engaged and making Olympic debuts together.
American figure skaters Madison Chock and Evan Bates, married in 2024, won a silver medal.
Curling boasts notable couples like Norway's Magnus Nedregotten and Kristin Skaslien, Canada's Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant, and Switzerland's Yannick Schwaller and Briar Schwalller-Huerlimann, who brought their baby, creating viral moments.

This Valentine's Day at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics proves that love, in its many forms, enriches the Olympic spirit, making it a memorable occasion for all involved.