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Love is in the air at the Milan Cortina 2026 Games, even between rivals.
Spanish figure skater Olivia Smart and former US Olympic ice dancer Jean-Luc Baker are engaged, as the latter popped the question on Saturday, Valentine’s Day.
Smart said “yes” and shared the news on Instagram.
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Former Team USA Olympic ice dancer Jean-Luc Baker and ice dancer Olivia Smart of Team Spain pose for a photo after proposing on the streets of Milan on the eighth day of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Joosep Martinson/Getty Images)
“It’s always been you,” the couple captioned a video prior to the proposal on the streets of Milan.
Smart was clearly shocked at the time, while the video showed Baker holding the ring while his new fiancée competed on the ice below.
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These two had been friends for quite some time, but on the ice, Team USA and Spain were obvious rivals as they competed for the same prize.
At the 2022 Beijing Games, as well as two World Championships, Baker and Smart competed against each other for gold.
Smart finished above Baker at the 2022 Games, as she finished eighth compared to her 11th place finish.
Former Team USA Olympic ice dancer Jean-Luc Baker proposes to Team Spain ice dancer Olivia Smart on the streets of Milan on the eighth day of the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Joosep Martinson/Getty Images)
This time Baker was in the stands at the Cortina Games in Milan, while Smart competed alongside partner Tim Dieck in ice dancing. They finished ninth in the competition.
Smart may not have ended up as expected, but at least he didn’t leave Milan without some sort of hardware.
Baker had won bronze in her Olympic career and took it home during the 2018 Winter Games. She has been unable to compete since 2023 due to injuries.
Olivia Smart and her partner Tim Dieck of Team Spain compete in Ice Dance – Free Dance on day five of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena on February 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
As the intensity of the competition in Milan continues, it’s hard not to enjoy a loving moment between these two.
