Alice Finot is departing the Paris Summer Olympics with a new record and fiance in tow.
On Aug. 6, the French runner contributed to shattering the European women's 3000m steeplechase record. She then heightened the occasion by proposing to her long-term boyfriend, Spanish triathlete Bruno Martinez Bargiela.
In the women's 3000m steeplechase final, four women finished under nine minutes for the first time, as reported by The Athletic. Finishing with a time of 8:58.67, Finot placed fourth, trailing behind medalists Winfred Yavi from Bahrain, Peruth Chemutai of Uganda, and Faith Cherotic of Kenya.
Following the record-breaking performance, Finot took only a brief moment to acknowledge her achievement before she turned to the stands. There, she shared the significant moment with Bargiela and surprised the audience by proposing on bended knee.
Perhaps even more unconventional than the location of the proposal was her selection of jewelry. Foregoing a traditional diamond ring, the runner opted for an Olympic pin. Instead of slipping it onto his finger, she affixed the pin to Bargiela's shirt while they both beamed with joy, culminating in a kiss to seal their engagement.
In a post-race and post-proposal interview with reporters, Finot confirmed Bargiela's affirmative response, as reported by the Daily Mail. She also shared insights into her thought process in the lead-up to creating this unique moment.
“I told myself that if I ran under nine minutes, knowing that nine is my lucky number and that we've been together for nine years, then I would propose,” she said.
“I don't like doing things like everyone else. Since he hadn't done it yet, I told myself that maybe it was up to me to do it,” she continued, per the outlet. “So, I gave a pin that I ran with to my boyfriend. On it, it says: Love is in Paris.”
Finot included that Bargiela "always gives me strength," especially during Tuesday's finals. “I really had a blast, I managed to express myself,” she said of the event.
Despite the fourth-place finish, Finot wasn't too upset about it. “It was just a tiny bit (that was) missing to get a medal, I'm sorry. But I don't regret anything.”
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