First the Medal, Then the Ring

Love is in the air at the Olympic diving pool. He Zi of China settled for silver in women's 3-meter springboard on Sunday before accepting another prize: an engagement ring. Boyfriend and fellow diver Qin Kai surprised her with a marriage proposal as she stepped off the medal podium. A serious-looking Qin got down on bended knee and appeared to speak at length to He before opening a small box. Qin took out the ring and after she solemnly nodded yes, Qin slipped it on her finger. He clapped her right hand over her eyes and Qin presented her a red rose encased in glass. The crowd cheered its approval. The other divers stopped what they were doing and watched in amazement. Qin thrust both arms triumphantly as they left the podium, reports the AP.

The couple's teammate, Shi Tingmao, won her second gold in Rio, adding the individual 3-meter title to her earlier victory in synchronized springboard. Shi totaled 406.05 points. Shi and He were tied after two rounds before Shi took the lead for good on her third dive. He finished second at 387.90. Tania Cagnotto of Italy earned bronze at 372.80. He carried the red rose container to the medalists' news conference along with her silver medal. She said the couple has been dating for six years and Qin's proposal was a surprise. "He said a lot of things," He said, describing Qin's speech. "He made a lot of promises, but the most important thing is this is the guy I can trust for the rest of my life. (More 2016 Olympics stories.)