The Tamesis
Team USA’s Hilary Knight and Brittany Bowe’s love story began at the Olympics, so it’s no surprise they got engaged here four years later. Although the medal-winning speed skater and hockey player met at various Team USA events over the years, their courtship didn’t begin until the 2022 Beijing Olympics (under major Covid-19 regulations). Their first date was a masked, socially distanced walk around the Olympic Village and dinner together separated by plexiglass. Brittany Bowe says: ‘It’s like we’re living in a bubble in Beijing’ Fashion Before the hockey game where Hillary won the gold medal. “It felt like being on a reality show. We had no family, no friends, no fans, so there were really no outside distractions. We really just talked a lot and got to know each other well.”
From the first moment of contact, the two professional athletes always made sure to make time to spend time together, despite living in different states and Hilary’s busy NHL schedule. “We found ourselves visiting each other every chance we could,” Brittany recalls. “We still lived two different lives, but we just enjoyed each other’s company and were really attracted to each other.”
The speed skater noted that the romance between the two professional athletes had its ups and downs, but ultimately formed a unique bond. “We’ve all been short-sighted at times, but we’ve always come together and realized that we’re who we are because we’re all striving for greatness,” Brittany said. “That makes it a lot easier because we do understand each other.”
Two years after they first became a couple, the Olympians decided to settle down and buy a house together in Salt Lake City, Utah. “This is our first big move,” said the speed skater. “We just want to continue to be together and compete for each other every day. I know our lives can get really chaotic at times with the Olympic cycle, the Women’s Professional Hockey League and my World Cup tour; all those things bring travel and stress. But we’ve been so committed to each other these past four years. It’s been really special.”
Brittany admitted that when she was younger, she didn’t imagine what kind of engagement ring or wedding she wanted. “Maybe that’s part of the queer community. Growing up, you really don’t witness or dream about these things,” she said. But when the couple began discussing the idea of getting engaged, she was adamant that Hillary would be the first to propose to her. “I made that clear from the beginning of the conversation,” she said. While Brittany didn’t give much guidance on the type of ring she wanted, the athlete suggested to her partner that she preferred something simple since she rarely wears jewelry.
Ahead of the 2026 Milan Olympics, Hillary chose a thin diamond-encrusted ring for her proposal. Brittany didn’t expect Hillary to propose during this monumental trip, but did I happened to make a joke two days before the engagement. “I think she was just holding my hand and I was like, ‘That finger looks so naked lately’ — without actually having any thoughts,” she shared.
Having both families watching the game together was very special for the couple, but it almost ruined the surprise. On the morning of February 18, Hillary and Brittany went to the Olympic Village for coffee together. “My mom texted me good morning and told me that my sister and her boyfriend were going to Milan for breakfast,” Brittany said. The speed skater immediately thought of inviting them to their coffee date. “I looked at her location and she was only five minutes away from the village,” she shared. “So Hilary was like, ‘Oh, damn. I asked Brooke last night if she wanted to surprise you by having coffee with us.'” Hilary had actually been planning the proposal with her sister for days. Luckily, Brittany didn’t think much of it. “I said, ‘That’s great, you’re so sweet. You know I love spending time with my sister.'”
