Lily King has earned a new title on her journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics: fiancé.
The 27-year-old swimmer received a sweet proposal from boyfriend James Wells shortly after qualifying in the 200m breaststroke at the Olympic Trials on Thursday.
NBC Sports released a video showing King becoming emotional as Wells confessed her love for him.
“It's been amazing watching you grow up these last four years, in and out of the pool,” Wells said, as King looked away and joked that she needed someone to style her hair.
“I don't regret for a second that I quit my job and moved half way across the country to be with you,” Wells continued. “It's been an amazing experience and I'm so excited to see where it goes from there. So, Lily Camille King, will you marry me?”
King immediately replied, “Yes,” kissed Wells, and the two embraced.
In an interview, King said he had no knowledge of the proposal.
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“I was really confused, Annie. [Lazor] “She told me to let my hair down before I left instead of leaving it in the hat, and I was like, 'Okay, that's great,' but then you were here so I was confused,” she told NBC Sports.
King will represent the United States in the 200-meter breaststroke and will also compete in the 100-meter breaststroke. According to Bleacher Report, this qualification makes King the first American swimmer to compete in both the 100 and 200-meter breaststroke in three consecutive Olympic Games.
The Indiana native competed in two Olympic Games, winning two gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal.
King announced earlier this month that she would not be aiming for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
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“I'm going to watch it in Los Angeles and I'm happy with the decision. It's not over after this summer, but I'm not going to go for another four years and I'll be cheering on the team,” she said. Indianapolis Star.
