Husbands and Boyfriends Step Into Olympic Spotlight

The Milan–Cortina Winter Games mixed competition with conspicuous displays of affection, from real-life ice‑dancing couples to on‑camera proposals. Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who married in 2024, won silver for the United States as the Games played out like part international sporting event, part love fest.

Men whose partners medaled drew particular attention, prompting a new label: HABs, the male equivalents of the high‑profile WAGs. Jake Paul was seen sobbing after his fiancée, the Dutch speedskater Jutta Leerdam, won gold; he posted, “From now on, call me Jutta Leerdam’s fiancé,” and a video showed him hoisting her onto his shoulders as they boarded a private jet.

N.F.L. player Myles Garrett shared a public kiss with Chloe Kim after her silver and was spotted wearing a jacket emblazoned with her image. A slope‑side proposal by Connor Watkins followed Breezy Johnson’s crash in the Super‑G: after confirming she was all right, he knelt on the snow, asked her to marry him and she said yes.

Italy, Milan–Cortina

winter olympics, milan–cortina, madison chock, evan bates, jake paul, jutta leerdam, chloe kim, myles garrett, breezy johnson, habs