Breezy Johnson’s Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo have been filled with dramatic highs and emotional twists — and now, an unforgettable proposal to top it all off.
Just days after capturing gold in the women’s downhill, the 30-year-old American skier said “yes” to her boyfriend, Connor Watkins, who proposed in the finish area following Thursday’s super-G final.
Watkins, dressed in a Team USA jacket, stepped onto the snow at the base of the course shortly after Johnson completed her run. In a moment witnessed by fellow competitors, coaches, and spectators from around the world, he dropped to one knee and presented a silver engagement ring featuring a blue gemstone. Johnson, visibly overwhelmed, placed her hand over her sunglasses as she became emotional before accepting. The couple embraced as teammates and officials erupted in cheers.
Along with the ring, Watkins presented Johnson with a carved piece of wood bearing lyrics from Taylor Swift’s song “The Alchemy,” reading: “Honestly, who are we to fight the alchemy?” The personal touch reflected a proposal that Watkins said he had been planning for nearly a year.
Johnson later admitted she had suspected the proposal might happen, sharing that she had once told Watkins she dreamed of getting engaged at the Olympics. Still, she said the reality far exceeded her expectations — especially since it came at the same Games where she achieved one of the biggest accomplishments of her career.
Earlier in the week, Johnson made history by winning the downhill gold medal, becoming only the second American woman to claim the Olympic title in the event, joining Lindsey Vonn. The victory marked a career-defining moment for Johnson, who has long been considered one of the sport’s top speed specialists.
Thursday’s super-G, however, brought a different outcome. Johnson was among more than a dozen competitors who failed to finish the race after crashing or skiing off course. Her run ended in a fall, adding a note of disappointment to the day before it turned celebratory.
Despite the crash, the mood shifted quickly once Watkins stepped forward with his surprise. The couple said they planned to celebrate in Cortina with family and friends before possibly traveling to Livigno, another Olympic venue, for a brief getaway.
Johnson reflected on how meaningful it was to share her Olympic success with someone she loves. She said there’s something special about achieving personal goals while having a partner by your side to experience it with you.
Watkins has been present throughout the Games, cheering from the stands during Johnson’s downhill triumph. He has supported her through both victories and setbacks, including the team combined event earlier in the week. In that race, Johnson delivered a strong downhill performance, but teammate Mikaela Shiffrin struggled in the slalom portion, leaving the duo just outside medal contention in fourth place.
Johnson’s Olympic journey also follows personal milestones off the slopes. In 2022, she publicly came out as bisexual, saying she wanted to live openly and authentically.
Now, with a gold medal and an engagement ring in hand, Johnson’s time in Italy has become one of the most memorable chapters of her life. What began as a quest for Olympic glory has evolved into something even more personal — a moment of joy and commitment shared on one of the world’s biggest stages.
Breezy Johnson, who earned Olympic gold in the women’s downhill event on Sunday, did not extend her medal collection during Thursday’s super-G race in Tofane. While she was unable to finish after catching one of her poles on a gate and crashing into the safety netting, Johnson’s day ended on a personal high note—her partner, Connor Watkins, proposed to her at the bottom of the course. Surrounded by her teammates on the U.S. Ski Team, Johnson accepted the proposal with a heartfelt “Yes!” before the couple shared a hug.
Afterward, Johnson explained that although she suspected Watkins might propose, the specifics caught her off guard. “I had told him that I always dreamed of getting proposed to at the Olympics, so I had an inkling,” Johnson said. “It felt fitting to kind of combine two of my loves. And I don’t know, it’s a special place at the Olympics. I feel like there’s a lot of mystique around it. And also you get free photography.”
The pair first connected through a dating app. Watkins, employed in the construction sector, admitted he was not familiar with Johnson’s achievements when they began talking. “I was a little taken aback. I had very little knowledge of ski racing and everything else,” Watkins recalled.
Reflecting on the day, Johnson said she was thrilled to return from the Games both as a medalist and newly-engaged. “I mean, who doesn’t want to leave with a couple pieces of metal?” she said.
