Quick Read
- Connor Watkins proposed to American skier Breezy Johnson at the Winter Olympics.
- The proposal occurred at the base of the super-G run in Cortina D’Ampezzo, Italy, on February 12, 2026.
- Johnson had won a downhill gold medal days earlier and crashed in the super-G final on the same day.
- Watkins presented a silver ring with a blue gem and a carved piece of wood with Taylor Swift lyrics.
- The couple plans to celebrate in Cortina and Livigno.
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (Azat TV) – American skier Breezy Johnson, fresh off a downhill gold medal and a crash in the super-G, received a tearful proposal from her boyfriend, Connor Watkins, at the base of the super-G run in Cortina D’Ampezzo on Thursday, February 12, 2026. The unexpected engagement capped a whirlwind week for Johnson at the Winter Olympics, adding a deeply personal highlight to her athletic achievements amidst the international competition.
The Emotional Proposal at Cortina D’Ampezzo
The dramatic moment unfolded shortly after Johnson, 30, crashed during the super-G final, an event where more than a dozen skiers failed to finish. Despite the immediate disappointment of the race, the atmosphere quickly shifted to one of celebration and joy. Connor Watkins, clad in a Team USA jacket, dropped to one knee in the finish area, surrounded by fellow skiers and officials. He presented Johnson with a silver ring featuring a striking blue gem, and she visibly emotional, put a hand to her sunglasses before tearfully accepting.
Alongside the ring, Watkins gave Johnson a piece of wood intricately carved with lyrics from Taylor Swift’s song “The Alchemy”: “Honestly, who are we to fight the alchemy?” The gesture, which Watkins revealed he had been planning for a year, surpassed even his “wildest imagination.” Johnson, who had confessed to Watkins her dream of an Olympic engagement, confirmed the reality was “so much better” than she had imagined, especially after securing a gold medal at the same Games.
Watkins’ Long-Planned Olympic Moment
Speaking to TODAY shortly after the proposal, Watkins shared his anxiety leading up to the moment. He recounted having a “Plan A” for the proposal at the finish line, and thankfully, Johnson was uninjured after her crash, allowing him to proceed as intended. “It’s an incredibly surreal experience,” Watkins stated, expressing his excitement that the plan came to fruition despite the day’s earlier setback for Johnson.
His presence in Cortina D’Ampezzo had been a constant source of support for Johnson throughout the Games, including cheering her on from the stands when she clinched the gold medal in the women’s downhill on Sunday. That victory made Johnson only the second American woman, after Lindsey Vonn in 2010, to win the prestigious event. The couple plans to celebrate their engagement with family and friends in Cortina before heading to Livigno, another Olympic venue, for a getaway.
A Week of Highs and Lows for Breezy Johnson
The engagement marked a poignant end to an emotionally charged week for Breezy Johnson. Her gold medal in the downhill earlier in the Games was a career-defining achievement, solidifying her status among elite American skiers. However, her quest for a second medal in the team combined event on Tuesday saw a fourth-place finish, despite her strong performance in the downhill portion, due to teammate Mikaela Shiffrin’s struggles in the slalom.
Johnson’s journey to these Olympics has also included personal milestones beyond the slopes. In 2022, she publicly came out as bisexual, sharing on social media her desire “to be open about who I am” and to represent the LGBTQ+ community at the highest levels of sport. This openness has resonated with many, adding another layer to her public persona as a powerful and authentic athlete.
Beyond the Finish Line: Personal Milestones
The proposal underscores the unique intersection of personal lives and professional aspirations that often plays out at major international sporting events. For athletes like Johnson, the Olympics are not just a stage for competition but also moments where life-altering personal events can unfold, creating lasting memories that extend far beyond the medal count. As Johnson herself remarked, “There’s nothing better than doing well and having somebody to share it with.” This sentiment encapsulates the joy of achieving both athletic and personal triumphs simultaneously.
The timing of Connor Watkins’ proposal, coming immediately after a significant athletic disappointment for Breezy Johnson, highlights the powerful role personal relationships play in providing comfort and joy amidst the intense pressures of elite competition, transforming a day of mixed emotions into an unforgettable celebration.