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Updated July 27th 2024, 13:12 IST

'It's a yes': Handball Star Pops the Question to Hockey Player During Paris Olympics 2024

Pablo Simonet, a member of the men’s national handball team, asked Maria Campoy, a player on the Argentina women’s hockey team, to marry him.

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Paris Olympics | Image: olympics.com

The biggest sporting celebration has turned out to be even grander for a couple of Argentine athletes. In one of the last serene moments in the Olympic Village before the Games kicked off, Pablo Simonet, a member of the men’s national handball team, asked Maria Campoy, a player on the Argentina women’s hockey team, to marry him. And Guess what it's a "Yes."

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Simonet and Campoy have been together romantically since 2015, and they had previously shared the Olympic experience at Rio 2016. Eight years later, Paris proved to be the perfect place to advance their relationship.

Following a group photo with both teams, Simonet got down on one knee and presented a ring to Campoy. Overwhelmed with surprise, she accepted his proposal as their teammates cheered them on.

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Special Moment, Special Timing

The timing of the proposal was particularly special, as both national teams had just qualified for the Paris Games minutes apart at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games. Simonet was competing in Viña del Mar, while Campoy was in Ñuñoa.

After celebrating her team’s victory over the United States, Campoy checked her phone and saw a message from Simonet announcing that the handball team had also won gold and secured their Olympic spot.

"[Pablo] sent me a message when he got to the locker room. I didn’t know anything about it, so it was doubly thrilling," Campoy shared with Olympics.com. "I knew his game was as challenging as ours, and finding out they were also champions was incredible." (Source: Olympics.com)

Paris 2024 might also be Campoy’s final Olympic appearance, as she missed Tokyo 2020, where Argentina won silver, but returned to Las Leonas for one last adventure.

"The opportunity was there, but I was living in Spain," Campoy explained. "After the call, I didn't hesitate. I discussed it with Pablo and said, 'I want to end my career in the best way possible.'"

The proposal added a touching note to the start of Paris 2024. 

Published July 27th 2024, 13:12 IST