Matt Greve's Golden Olympic Proposal
Every guy wants their marriage proposal to be unique and special.
It is a moment that every couple would like look back to and cherish
forever. Timing is everything, and 26 year old Olympic swimmer Matt
Grever knew this and his marriage proposal was definitely unique.
It was February in the London Olympics 2012 and Matt just won the
100-meter backstroke gold medal at the Missuori Grand Prix. His long
time girl friend and team mate, Annie Chandler was given the task to
award him his medal. She was about to leave the stage when she was
requested to go up to him for a photo-op. She thought that it was just
another typical awarding ceremony and tried not to steal the moment
from her boyfriend by silently standing by him with a smile. But Matt
made her feel like the most important woman alive when he suddenly
went down on one knee and then and there, popped the question.
"Will you marry me Annie?" Annie was surprised as she covered her
mouth with her hands. Who wouldn't be surprised? And what's a better
way to propose marriage to a fellow athlete other than do it at an
awarding ceremony at the Olympics, right?
Well, Matt's older brother Andy was obviously also in on the plan
as he had to sneak the ring in for him, since there was nowhere to
hide it in Matt's swimming outfit. Their team mates and even the
audience cheered them on as Annie gave her big "Yes!" as she hugged
and kissed him tenderly. Matt threw his fist up to the air to let
the audience know the wonderful news. The newly engaged couple
happily walked off the stage as they were met by their coach with
a big hug. Even the crowd was in awe as they witnessed the super
sweet and unexpected proposal.
In Grever's interview for the Washington post he said "I've just
been searching for a unique way to pop the question. My whole
family is here and I figured this would be a perfect opportunity
and a unique situation." Well, I can't argue with that. Not
everybody is given the chance to be able to propose in front of
hundreds of people on National TV after winning an Olympic gold
medal. Matt surely hit the jackpot!
As unique as it may sound, Matt's proposal is only one of the top
5 marriage proposals in the history of Olympic proposals....so far.
It is the 2nd marriage proposal the London Olympics has seen this
year alone, following the unexpected proposal by Torch bearer David
State to his girlfriend Christine Langham, as it was witnessed by
hundreds of people who came to see the torch travel around the U.K.
at the opening of the Olympics 2012. This was probably inspired by
a previous proposal by the torch bearer Ryan Clarke to his girlfriend
Claire Jean during the winter games in Vancouver, British Columbia
in 2010. In the same year, skater Billy Demong also proposed to his
girlfriend on stage on National TV. And of course, who could forget
the 2008 Olympic engagement by pair skaters John Baldwin, Jr. and
Rena Inoue soon after their performance for the Figure Skating
Championships.
No matter how many sports event proposals there have been in the past,
to witness a proposal like the one Matt Grever did for Annie Chandler
still never fail to warm my heart and put a smile on my face. And I'm
sure it did so too for all those who witnessed it. It just comes to
show, that the Olympics does involve all forms of muscle activity...
including the heart.
By Sheila Noreen Lopez - Gamo. Posted on August 4th, 2012.
