It was on July 26 that the Paris Olympics kicked off, with an opening ceremony that included everything from a star-studded performance by Celine Dion in the Eiffel Tower to a grand flag-bearer parade on the River Seine.
In total, there are 329 medal events to be won until August 11, and roughly 10,500 athletes will participate in the games, according to Swedish Olympic Committee.
And among the athletes, love is budding – at least for some. This year’s Olympic competitors include several couples. Listed below are some of them.
DO NOT MISS: Guide Olympics 2024: Time and date – when Sweden competes
Photo: Natacha Pisarenko/AP/TT
READ MORE: Here are all Sweden’s medals in the 2024 Olympics – so far
Daniel Ståhl (discus) and Fanny Roos (shot put)
In the Swedish Olympic squad we find the love couple Daniel Ståhl31, and Fanny Roopp29. The discus thrower and the shot putter have been playing steadily for several years.
Daniel Ståhl and Fanny Roos. Photo: Christine Olsson/TT
READ MORE: This is how Daniel Ståhl and Fanny Roos revealed their love: “Why”
Alex De Minaur (tennis) and Katie Boulter (tennis)
The Australian tennis player Alex De Minaur25, and the British tennis player Katie Boulter, 27, have found love in each other. The pair make their debut together in the context of the Olympics when they enter the tennis court in Paris, but on separate sides and as representatives of different countries.
Katie Boulter and Alex De Minaur are a couple. Photo: Stella PicturesJunelle Bromfield (sprint) and Noah Lyles (sprint)
The sprint stars Junelle Bromfield26, who competes for Jamaica, and Noah Lyles27, who runs for the United States, got to know each other back in 2017 but it wasn’t until just over two years ago that they started dating.
Now both are aiming for a medal in the Olympics in Paris.
Christian Parlati (judo) and Gabriella Willems (judo)
Christian Parlati26, and Gabriella Willems, 27, has a chance to win Olympic medals – exactly at the same time. If the pair, who compete for Italy and Belgium respectively, manage to reach the finals in the women’s 70-kilogram class and the men’s 90-kilogram class, they will square off on the mats next to each other on July 31.
– We have supported each other for seven years, and to share this moment would be a dream, Willems told Olympics.com and then continued:
– Hopefully July 31 will be a happy day filled with tears of joy for both of them.
Lea Schüller (soccer) and Lara Vadlau (sailing)
Another couple who join each other for the Olympics is the German soccer player Lea Schuller26, and the Austrian sailor Lara Vadlau30.
In a joint interview with FC Bayern the pair have talked about the advantages and disadvantages of both being athletes at the elite level.
– I think it is very helpful because both understand what you need to do for your sport, that you are away a lot and don’t see each other very often. Otherwise, it would be really difficult, says Vadlau, to which Schüller adds:
– On the other hand, if I wasn’t an athlete, we could have seen each other much more often. Lara has just been away for two weeks, then I’m with the national team for ten days, then it’s back to her travels… Often we only see each other for three to five days at a time. It’s a bit like being in a long distance relationship.
Ben Broeders (pole vault) and Femke Bol (sprint)
The Dutch sprint star Femke Bol24, has been in a relationship with the Belgian pole vaulter for several years Ben Broeders29, and now they are both competing in the Olympics in Paris.
– Ben and I met during the Diamond League when it was corona times. We clicked immediately. So something good has come of the corona pandemic for me, Bol has told the Dutch Sportnieuws.
Elina Svitolina (tennis) and Gael Monfils (tennis)
The previously mentioned Alex De Minaur and Katie Boulter are not the only couple among the Olympic tennis players. Love also blossoms between Ukrainian Elina Svitolina29, and French Gael Monfils37. In the fall of 2022, the couple had their daughter Skai.
When Svitolina returned to tennis after the pregnancy, she was greatly praised by her husband.
– She is an excellent and fantastic mother, he said during a press conference according to Tennismajors.com and continued:
– I am surprised at how she managed to come back, how mentally and physically strong she is. It is unbelievable.
READ MORE: Mondo and Desiré are banned during the 2024 Olympics – they must not do that
Hana Burzalova (walk) and Dominik Cerny (walk)
Those who followed the World Athletics Championships in Budapest 2023 may remember the pictures of when Dominik Cerny26, got down on one knee and proposed hrsAna Burzalova23, at the finish line.
The runners compete together when it’s time for the mixed relay marathon at the Olympics in Paris 2024. What’s next? Weddings of course.
Rossella Fiamingo (fencing) and Gregorio Paltrinieri (swimming)
In Italy’s Olympic squad we find yet another love couple. The fencer Rossella Fiamingo33, and the swimmer Gregorio Paltrinieri29, are engaged.
Gerek Meinhardt (fencing) and Lee Kiefer (fencing)
The American fencers Gerek Meinhardt33, and Lee Kiefer, 30, is traveling to an Olympics for the fourth time as a couple. The athletes got married in 2019, but started dating back in 2012.
– I started to fall in love with Gerek. Yes, it was me, I took the first step, Kiefer has told Los Angeles Times.
DO NOT MISS: Ikea’s mockery of Sweden ahead of the 2024 Olympics: “Trying to lie down to victory”
Edward Gal (dressage) and Hans Peter Minderhoud (dressage)
Edward Gall54, and His Peter Minderhoud, 50, both dressage riders and in a love relationship for several years. The Paris Olympics will be their fourth Olympic Games.
Sources: Buzzfeed, The evening paper, Olympics.com