Breezy Johnson’s week at the Olympic Games has been nothing short of remarkable, navigating the thrilling highs and the challenging lows of competitive alpine skiing. Just minutes after recovering from a dramatic crash during the super-G event, Johnson experienced an unforgettable moment when her boyfriend, Connor Watkins, proposed to her in the finish area, presenting her with a beautiful engagement ring.
The proposal came shortly after Johnson achieved the pinnacle of her career by winning a gold medal in the downhill, her most significant triumph yet. Only days prior, she had come tantalizingly close to another medal, before the unexpected crash during the super-G.
Cortina d’Ampezzo has a complicated history for Johnson. The site ended her Olympic dreams four years ago when she crashed while skiing through a ruptured ACL. Reflecting on her relationship with the mountain, she noted, “Cortina has been one of the places with some of my fastest skiing… but it will bite you in the ass.” However, after this week’s events, her perspective on the Olympia delle Tofane slope has undoubtedly shifted for the better.
As she proudly displayed her dazzling diamond and sapphire ring, Johnson revealed she had anticipated a proposal since she let Watkins know about her dream of getting engaged at the Olympics. The couple met two and a half years ago through the dating app Bumble, with Watkins initially unaware of Johnson’s Olympic athlete status until they were a few minutes into their first date.
Watkins, who has been designing the engagement ring for about a year, faced a logistical challenge when Johnson crashed. He expressed his relief when he saw her get up and start moving again, adding that there was a Plan B in case the unexpected occurred during the day.
A close friend of Johnson, Megan Harrod, played a pivotal role in ensuring Johnson remained in good spirits after her crash. Despite feeling disheartened initially, Johnson felt a wave of comfort upon seeing Watkins, stating, “It’s nice to see you,” which paved the way for the beautiful proposal.
As she prepares to leave Cortina, Johnson will take home not only a gold medal but also a new engagement ring, concluding an extraordinary week filled with both challenges and joy. As she aptly put it, “Who doesn’t want to leave with a couple of pieces of metal?” This week in Cortina has truly been one for the books, filled with celebrations and cherished memories for Johnson and Watkins.