US figure skater proposes to former rival during 2026 Winter Olympics
American figure skater Jean-Luc Baker popped the question to his former rival, Spain's Olivia Smart, during the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Smart competed in the Milano Cortina Games alongside her skating partner Tim Dieck, but failed to clinch a medal, placing ninth in ice dance on Feb. 11. Baker, on the other hand, watched from the stands. However, she isn't leaving Italy empty-handed.
On Instagram on Valentine's Day, Baker announced their engagement, sharing a video of the sweet moment. It started with him holding up a toy ring while watching Smart on the ice, then later, he showed the real bling.
Further into the video, the couple was seen taking a stroll on the streets of Milan when Baker got on one knee.
Cheers could be heard around them as Smart said yes, and they shared a sweet kiss.
"It's always been you," Baker captioned.
The couple competed against each other in the 2022 Beijing Games and two World Championships. Smart finished eighth while Baker was in 11th place.
In a November 2025 interview on the Olympics YouTube channel, the couple shared that they've been friends for a decade, while Smart was dating someone else.
"I honestly could not live my life not knowing that she knew how I felt about her because it was in that moment that I realized that I was in love with [her]," Baker said.
On Smart's podcast, she talked about how she didn't expect to get proposed to.
"Such a spontaneous moment for me. I had absolutely no clue. a moment I'll never forget at the same time. I'm so glad I was just [present] in that moment and was able to just show my raw emotions [because] I was so shocked and I just bawled my eyes out, my mascara was [running] down my face," she said.
"I'm still processing it. I'm still staring at the rock on my finger and realizing that this is all happening, and so much has happened at the Olympic Games, and to have this significant moment be a part of this experience and journey is truly magical."
