French athlete proposes to her boyfriend after Olympics race
She went down on one knee after finishing the 3000m steeplechase final in less than nine (her lucky number) minutes
Alice Finot broke the European record on Tuesday
Sipa US / Alamy Stock Photo
French athlete Alice Finot topped off her record-breaking Olympic performance on Tuesday evening by proposing to her boyfriend, who was cheering her on from the stands.
The runner, 33, had just come fourth in the 3000m steeplechase final. Despite just missing out on a medal she broke the European record with a time of 8.58.67, her personal best.
Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi won gold, with defending champion Peruth Chemutai of Uganda winning silver and Faith Cherotich of Kenya taking bronze.
Ms Finot celebrated her record-breaking run by racing over to the stands and getting down on one knee. Her partner, fellow athlete Bruno Martínez Bargiela, beaming, wiped away a tear and leaned down to hug her.
“I told myself that if I ran under nine minutes, knowing that nine is my lucky number and we’ve been together nine years, then I would propose,” she told reporters afterwards.
“I don’t like doing things the same way as everyone else. Since he hadn’t done it yet, I thought that maybe it was up to me.”
She proposed with a pin saying “love is in Paris” instead of a ring.
“He’s the one who always gives me strength,” she said, confirming he had said “yes”.
