INDIANAPOLIS – Lilly King qualified in a second event for the Paris Olympics, but Thursday’s big news was an event of the heart.
King’s boyfriend, 32-year-old James Wells, popped the question during NBC’s televised coverage of the swimming trials at Lucas Oil Stadium.
King, 27, had already qualified for the 100-meter breaststroke earlier in the event. During Thursday’s competition, she finished in second place to nab a spot in the 200-meter breaststroke.
And while earning a second spot in the Olympics is a tremendous accomplishment, the five-time medal winner also earned a new ring.
The broadcast caught Wells’ proposal.
“Just to see you grow has been so awesome. And I don’t regret for a minute dropping my job and moving halfway across the country,” Wells said in the lead up to the big question. “It’s been awesome and I’m very excited.”
Wells, who’s originally from Maine and swam at IU, then asked her to marry him, getting down on one knee and holding up an engagement ring.
Without hesitation, King accepted, saying, “Yes, yes.” The two then shared a hug to applause from the crowd.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so excited,” King said on the broadcast.
Wells said he chose to propose during the swim trials at Lucas Oil Stadium because it’s King’s home state and it “means so much” for her to be part of the event.
He called it the “perfect opportunity” to propose.
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