Olympic proposals ignite controversy for overshadowing female athletes’ achievements

China’s Liu Yuchen (R) proposes to his partner and gold medallist Huang Ya Qiong after leaving the podium at the mixed doubles badminton medal ceremony during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Porte de la Chapelle Arena in Paris on Aug. 2, 2024. Photo by AFP

NBC News reported that the controversy intensified after a proposal on Aug. 2 by Chinese badminton player Liu Yuchen to his fellow teammate Huang Yaqiong right after her gold medal win. While some applauded the gesture, it also received backlash online for diverting attention from Huang’s victory.

American basketball player Sydney Colson expressed her displeasure with a tweet, posted on August 4: “Proposing to me after I win gold??”

“Baby you’ll never hear from me again!” she continued. “Had to make it about you.”

This tweet has garnered over 37 million views and more than 185,000 likes as of Aug. 12.

However, not everyone echoed Colson’s view, including Twitter user Deus, who left a comment under her post: “Probably the happiest day of her life and here you are upset on her behalf.”

The trend of Olympic proposals has been notable, with several athletes choosing the global stage for their proposals, making this year’s games record-breaking for the number of marriage proposals at an Olympics, according to The Economic Times.

Six athletes–including Liu, French runner Alice Finot, Argentine handball player Pablo Simonet, American shot putter Payton Otterdahl, rower Justin Best, and rugby player Alev Kelter–popped the question to their partners.

Additionally, French sailors Sarah Steyaert and Charline Picon, along with Italian rhythmic gymnast Alessia Maurelli, received proposals from their respective partners.

It is noted that the partners of Steyaert and Picon also faced criticism, with comments suggesting that the proposals were attempts by “men trying to overshadow their [Steyaert and Picon’s] accomplishments.”

The debate echoes the global discussion on the balance between personal achievements and public professional recognition, which was sparked when Chinese diver Qin Kai proposed to silver medalist He Zi during her medal ceremony at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. According to The Guardian, while the media largely reported positively on Qin’s proposal, some criticized the timing, arguing that popping the question immediately after He received her silver medal detracted from her sporting achievement.

Despite the criticisms, many athletes, including Huang, have embraced their moments. The badminton player was visibly moved during Liu’s proposal, as she later expressed the dual joy of her professional and personal milestones to reporters: “Today I became an Olympic champion and I got engaged.”

“I think the ring fits my finger really well.”