Lilly King, a five-time Olympic medalist, had an eventful night at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials in Indianapolis. After securing a spot in her second event for the 2024 Paris Olympics by finishing second in the 200-meter breaststroke behind Kate Douglass, King received a surprise proposal from her boyfriend, James Wells.
The heartwarming moment was captured on video and shared on social media by USA Swimming and NBC Sports. In the clip, King, who hails from Indiana, looked shocked and emotional as Wells got down on one knee to propose. She excitedly shared the news of her engagement during a poolside interview after accepting her medal.
At 27 years old, King will be competing in her third Olympics in Paris. She is set to make history as the first American swimmer to participate in the 100m and 200m breaststroke events in three consecutive Games. Despite announcing that the 2024 Olympics will be her final appearance on the Olympic stage during a news conference last week, King is determined to make her mark in the pool once again.
King’s engagement adds an extra layer of excitement to her Olympic journey, showcasing the personal milestones that athletes experience alongside their professional accomplishments. As she prepares to represent Team USA in Paris, King’s fans will undoubtedly be cheering her on both in and out of the pool.