Chinese Olympian Liu Yuchen Proposes Amid Controversy

During the 2024 Paris Olympics, French athlete Alice Finot and Chinese badminton player Liu Yuchen both made headlines for their marriage proposals following their respective events. Finot, who finished fourth in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase and broke the European record, proposed to her boyfriend Bruno Martínez Bargiela in a heartfelt moment captured on video. Conversely, Liu Yuchen faced backlash after proposing to his girlfriend Huang Yaqiong immediately after she won a gold medal in badminton, with critics claiming he overshadowed her achievement. Social media users expressed divided opinions, some celebrating the proposals while others argued Liu's timing was insensitive. The contrasting reactions highlight the complexities of public proposals during significant personal moments. Both proposals reflect a growing trend among athletes to commemorate personal milestones alongside their competitive achievements.