Another Proposal at Rio: And Again, She Said Yes

Dujardin said she already had a ring on her finger and planned to marry the South African Dean Wyatt in 2017.

Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin, left, poses for photographers with partner Dean Golding after she won a gold medal in the equestrian dressage individual competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. (Photo: AP)

After Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin finished her high-scoring freestyle dressage test, cameras zoomed in on her long-time partner in the stands holding up a sign saying “Will you marry me now?”

Dujardin, who claimed her second straight Olympic individual gold in the sport on Monday, said she already had a ring on her finger and planned to marry the South African Dean Wyatt in 2017.

He asked me actually just before London and I said yes. I don’t think he believed it was going to happen so I think he has made it so public that now I am certainly going to do it

Charlotte Dujardin, Britain

Dean Golding, right, helps unwrap a flag from Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin, after the two posed for photographers after Dujardin won a gold medal in the equestrian dressage individual competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. (Photo: AP)

Although she did not break her own freestyle world record, Dujardin was still the top scorer in her final Olympic ride on the powerful black horse Valegro she earned team and individual gold with in 2012.

The former stable hand has breathed new life into the elite sport of dressage by earning once unthinkable scores and breaking with some traditions. She performs in a crash helmet rather than a top hat, yet still counts Queen Elizabeth among her fans.

Dujardin said she has been with Wyatt for nine years.

It was not the first public marriage proposal in Rio. China’s He Zi received a diamond ring during the medal ceremony of the women’s 3-metre springboard diving event on Sunday.

Brazilian women’s rugby player Isadora Cerullo also accepted a marriage proposal from her girlfriend at the medals ceremony for the first Olympic rugby sevens competition last week.