People are divided after Olympic athlete loses race but still proposes to her boyfriend

An Olympic athlete had what might just be the best day ever when she broke a European record and popped the question to her partner.

Alice Finot had been competing in the steeplechase during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games alongside 14 other athletes.

The 33-year-old had been making her Olympic debut, and although she missed out on a medal by just a hair, she still managed to break a record.

That's because Finot set a new European record for the steeplechase, clocking in at an impressive 8:58.67.

A quick explainer for those unfamiliar with the steeplechase - it's effectively long distance running with obstacles.

Competitors will run 3000m, and on the way will navigate jumps which sometimes also have a pool of water on the other side to make it even more difficult.

After finishing the race, Finot caught the attention of the cameras when she went up to her boyfriend after breaking a European record and proposed to him.

What a day!

French athlete Alice Finot broke the European steeplechase record, finishing fourth in the final and proposed after. 🥹 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/BreMAAsq2A

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 7, 2024

People were quick to pile in and offer their congratulations as the pair embraced.

One wrote: “Wow what a day for Alice, congrats!” while another commented: “Congrats to her and her record!”

Someone else added: “This is officially the best day of her life.”

But of course this social media, also known as the 'stick-in-the-mud factory', as some people somehow saw the heartwarming moment and decided to take issue.

You might be wondering how on earth someone would have a problem, but apparently it was because she was the one doing the proposing.

One person wrote: "I wish them all the happiness in the world but dude should’ve been the one proposing here."

Needless to say many people came back pointing out that it is simply doesn't matter.

One wrote: "It's 2024 - who cares. They are happy!" while another posted: "i think she can do whatever she wants quite honestly."

Meanwhile someone else posted: "It's 2024, not 1950. If she wants to propose, then more power to her."

Someone else pointed out it was a nice way for her to make the decision herself, writing: "I love that she proposed. It was her day, she gets to decide if she wants to share her Olympic spotlight with a proposal."

In the gorgeous video, she goes up to her boyfriend in the crowd and drops down to one knee.

Finot then holds up what appears to be a pin as her boyfriend accepts her proposal, and attaches it to her now fiancé's chest.

All that remains is to say congratulations, both on the European record and the engagement!