After securing her spot on Team USA at the Olympic Trials, Lilly King, the talented swimmer, received a heartwarming surprise from her boyfriend, James Wells - a proposal that left her beaming with joy.
“Watching you grow over these past four years, both in and out of the pool, has been incredible,” Wells expressed his admiration for King right after she emerged from the pool on June 20. “I have no regrets about leaving my job and moving halfway across the country for us to be together. It's been an amazing journey.”
With a glint of excitement in his eyes, Wells popped the question, “Lilly Camille King, will you marry me?”
Overwhelmed with happiness, King joyfully exclaimed, “Yes, yes!” as she embraced her now-fiancé and admired the sparkling diamond ring on her finger.
Although King clinched the second spot behind Kate Douglass in the 200-meter breaststroke trials at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials held at Indiana's Lucas Oil Stadium, her silver medal wasn't the only thing she proudly displayed - her engagement ring shone brightly too.
“I'm engaged!” King shared with the press, revealing her surprise at Wells' heartfelt proposal. “I was a bit confused because Annie [Lazor] told me to let my hair down before stepping out, and then I saw James down there, and it all just clicked.”
King's journey doesn't end with the engagement; she also secured a spot in the 100-meter breaststroke race at the upcoming Paris Olympics, marking her third appearance at the Games. With a collection of two golds, two silvers, and one bronze from her previous Olympic outings, King is a force to be reckoned with in the pool.
However, Paris 2024 will be King's swan song in the competitive swimming arena. “After this summer, I'll be retiring from the sport,” she announced, looking forward to cheering on the team at the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
Wells, a former swimmer himself, was part of the Indiana University swim team as a sprint specialist until his graduation in 2014. While he competed in the 100-meter men's backstroke at the Wave 1 Olympic Trials in 2021, he hasn't been in competitive swimming since then.
King joined IU's swim team in 2015, a year after Wells graduated, creating a shared bond with their alma mater. Reflecting on their journey, Wells expressed, “Being here in Indiana, a state with such a strong swimming culture, means a lot to Lilly. It's incredible to witness her in front of this supportive crowd.”
As King prepares for her final Olympic appearance in Paris, her engagement to Wells adds a touch of romance to her athletic endeavors. The love and support shared between the couple serve as a heartwarming reminder of the personal victories that accompany sporting achievements.
With a bright future ahead, both in love and in her career, Lilly King continues to inspire with her dedication, talent, and now, a love story that began in the waters of competition.
