Gold Medal Weddings: How Athletes Combine Their Passion for Sports and Love

While love and sports may seem like different worlds, there is a strong level of commitment and dedication required for both. For some athletes, their significant others are found through unconventional means, such as being set up on blind dates by teammates. Water Polo star Alex Bowen met his partner Hilary Hansen this way, despite initial doubts, they stayed connected even during Bowen’s time at the Olympics in Tokyo.

Balancing the demands of training for the Olympics and planning a wedding can be a challenging task for many athletes. Swimmer Abbey Weitzeil is one such athlete who is currently balancing her training for Paris 2024 with planning her wedding to fiancé Michael Jensen. She sees the pressure as a motivator and is thriving in this dual role. Similarly, water polo star Maggie Steffens and her partner Tom Gehret plan to marry shortly after a potential gold medal match, while rugby player Charlotte Caslick is set to marry her fellow Aussie rugby player Lewis Holland after a long engagement.

For these couples, the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris are the immediate focus, followed closely by their weddings. As they prepare to compete for gold medals, they are also preparing to start the next chapter of their lives with their partners by their sides. The combination of athletic success and personal fulfillment can be a powerful motivator for these athletes who are dedicated to both their sport and their relationships.