Instead of an Olympic medal, a wedding ring

As the world’s biggest sporting stage, the Olympics are as big as it gets for making public displays of affection. So, when Argentinian fencer María Belén Pérez Maurice lost to Hungary’s Anna Márton on Monday in the women’s individual sabre qualifier, the only public display we, fencing-sitters, expected were tears from the vanquished. But, to our surprise, and Maurice’s shock, her coach, Lucas Saucedo, who is also her partner, held up a placard while the fencer was being interviewed by a channel that read, ‘Flaca, do you want to marry me? Please.’ Flaca, a.k.a. Maurice, replied — on live TV — in the affirmative. A ring instead of a medal isn’t bad.

Making such grand gestures in the presence of a global viewership can be risky business. In 2010, seven years into their relationship, Saucedo had tried the stunt at the world championships in Paris. Maurice’s rapier-response had then cut deep, ‘Is this a joke or what?’ But, this time, the gentleman’s thrust was not parried. So, does one have to lose to get hitched? Nope. A day before, German footballer Max Kruse proposed to his girlfriend in a post-match interview after his side had won against Saudi Arabia in an Olympic group game. He later confirmed that the lady had said yes. But we suggest that just to be on the safe side, you try such a risky, Olympian gesture only at home.