Hilary Knight, captain of the U.S. women's hockey team, and Brittany Bowe, an American speedskater, have announced their engagement during the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The announcement came shortly before Knight's participation in the gold-medal hockey match and marks a significant personal milestone for the athletes amidst their final Olympic appearances.
Knight proposed to Bowe on Wednesday, February 18th, with the event captured in a video shared on Instagram. This personal achievement adds a notable chapter to their Olympic journeys, which have spanned multiple Games and garnered numerous accolades. The engagement follows a similar announcement from downhill skier Breezy Johnson, who also became engaged at the Games the previous week.
Shared Olympic Journeys and Personal Milestones
Both Knight and Bowe are competing in their final Winter Olympic Games. For Knight, this is her fifth appearance, a record for the U.S. women's hockey team, where she is also aiming to add to her collection of Olympic medals, which includes one gold and three silvers. Bowe, a two-time Olympic bronze medalist in speed skating, is participating in her fourth Olympic Games.
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Hilary Knight: U.S. Women's Hockey Captain
Fifth and final Olympic appearance.
Seeking to add to her medal haul (currently 1 gold, 3 silver).
Tied U.S. Olympic record for most goals and points in women's hockey earlier in the Milan Cortina Games.
Brittany Bowe: U.S. Speedskater
Fourth Olympic appearance.
Two-time Olympic bronze medalist.
Competing in the 1500m speed skating race after the engagement.
The couple's connection reportedly deepened during the Beijing 2022 Olympics, under strict COVID-19 protocols. Their shared experience at these Games, culminating in this engagement, underscores a unique aspect of their Olympic narrative.

The Proposal and Public Announcement
Knight chose to propose before the pivotal gold medal hockey game, stating her desire to celebrate this significant moment at the Olympics, particularly as it marks their final participation. To ensure the surprise, Knight had Bowe's sister deliver the ring box separately, anticipating that Bowe might discover it in their shared luggage. The engagement was officially confirmed by Team USA.
The announcement was made via Instagram, where the couple shared a video of the proposal. Both athletes posted a joint message beneath the announcement, stating, "This one made us forever." The timing of the engagement, close to Valentine's Day, has also been highlighted in media coverage.
Read More: Jordan Stolz Wins Silver in 1500m Speedskating at Milan Olympics

Broader Context of Olympic Engagements
The engagement of Knight and Bowe is not an isolated event at the Milan Cortina Games. Skier Breezy Johnson also announced her engagement earlier in the week, highlighting a trend of personal milestones occurring alongside intense athletic competition. This trend brings a human element to the high-stakes environment of the Olympic Games.
The public nature of these announcements, often shared through social media and then picked up by news outlets, amplifies the personal stories of the athletes beyond their competitive performances.
Expert and Athlete Perspectives
While direct expert analysis on the engagement itself is limited in the provided data, the athletes' own words offer insight into the significance of the moment. Knight viewed the proposal at the Olympics as a "full-circle moment" given it's their "last time through" the Games. The engagement is seen as a way to "tie the knot" and celebrate their shared Olympic journey.
Read More: USA and Canada Women's Hockey Gold Medal Game Tied 1-1, Goes to Overtime in Milan-Cortina
"This one made us forever."- Hilary Knight and Brittany Bowe, on their engagement announcement.
Knight's decision to propose at the Olympics, a stage where both have achieved considerable success, underscores the personal meaning they attribute to their athletic careers and their relationship.
Conclusion and Implications
The engagement of Hilary Knight and Brittany Bowe adds a personal narrative to the Milan Cortina Olympic Games. It signifies a culmination of their shared experiences as elite athletes and as a couple. As both athletes conclude their Olympic careers, this personal milestone offers a powerful testament to their enduring relationship, forged amidst the demanding world of professional sports. The engagement serves as a personal victory, celebrated at the highest level of athletic competition.
Sources Used:
Los Angeles Times: https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2026-02-19/olympics-2026-hilary-knight-brittany-bowe-engaged-hockey-gold-medal
Associated Press (AP News): https://apnews.com/article/hilary-knight-brittany-bowe-engaged-olympics-8e45c326d6bc6ecb58b14824d5f7dd18
Olympics.com: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/news/team-usa-s-hilary-knight-and-brittany-bowe-engaged-at-milano-cortina-2026
ESPN: https://www.espn.com/olympics/story//id/47964901/hilary-knight-brittany-bowe-engagement-team-usa-milano-cortina-2026-olympics
NBC New York: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/olympics/2026-milan-cortina/hilary-knight-brittany-bowe-engaged-olympics/6464366/
USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/02/18/hilary-knight-brittany-bowe-engaged-winter-olympics/88736961007/
Tampa Bay Times: https://www.tampabay.com/sports/2026/02/18/hilary-knight-brittany-bowe-engagement-olympics-instagram-us-hockey-speedskating/
CBC Sports: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/hilary-knight-brittany-bowe-post-engagement-video-at-olympics-9.7095139