Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Rio 2016: Chinese diver He Zi wins silver and is proposed to by boyfriend during medal ceremony

Boyfriend and fellow diver Qin Kai got down on one knee as He stepped off the podium

Loulla-Mae Eleftheriou-Smith
Monday 15 August 2016 07:21 BST
Comments
He Zi of China receives a marriage proposal from Chinese diver Ki Qin after winning the silver medal in the women's 3m Springboard final at Rio
He Zi of China receives a marriage proposal from Chinese diver Ki Qin after winning the silver medal in the women's 3m Springboard final at Rio (EPA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Love is in the air in Rio, which has left one athlete with another event to celebrate alongside her well-earned medal.

Chinese diver He Zi had won silver for the women’s three metre springboard on Sunday, but after being awarded her medal she then received a proposal from boyfriend and fellow diver Qin Xai.

Qin got down on one knee while clasping a velvet box on Sunday as girlfriend He stepped off the medal podium. She clasped her hand over her mouth when Qin opened the box and nodded to him, before he slipped the ring on her finger.

He then gave her a red rose encased in glass and the crowd roared in delight as the couple hugged.

“We’ve been dating for six years, but I didn’t expect him to propose today,” He told the BBC. “He said a lot of things, made a lot of promises, but I think the thing that touched me the most is I think this is the guy I can trust for the rest of my life.”

Qin and He join another Olympic couple who became engaged at the Games: on Monday Marjorie Enya, a volunteer manager at the Deodoro Stadium, proposed to her girlfriend and Olympic rugby player Isadora Cerullo on the pitch following the medal ceremony for the women’s rugby sevens.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in