Swimmer Lilly King, Fiancé James Wells Discuss Proposal On TODAY Show

“I used to be anticipating it extra after the Video games as a result of we’re going to go frolic round Europe after that, however final evening I used to be not anticipating it in any respect,” she informed TODAY June 21 as she and her now-fiancé joined the present from Indianapolis, the place the USA Swimming trials are happening.

“I used to be truthfully simply so confused why he was on deck,” she mentioned. “After that I used to be like, ‘Why are you sporting your good garments?’ Like, what’s occurring? After which I noticed, ‘Oh, I do know what’s occurring!’”

Wells defined why he determined to pop the query sooner than deliberate.

“I used to be really, funnily sufficient, initially planning on doing it after the Paris Video games. … After which simply seeing Lilly with all of her pals right here and type of on this stadium in her house state, I used to be like, I believe this is able to be a very particular second that she may share with everybody,” he mentioned.

The Paris Video games can be King’s third Olympics. She gained two gold medals within the 2016 Summer season Olympics in Rio de Janeiro for the 100-meter breaststroke and the 4×100 meter medley relay. She additionally scored two silver medals and one bronze on the postponed 2020 Summer season Olympics in Tokyo.

Now, after qualifying for her third Olympics, it appears like King continues to be processing all of her latest main milestones.

“It was already an unbelievable week to begin off with. I imply, making my third Olympic workforce, clearly, couldn’t be extra particular, and now I’m getting married,” she mentioned on TODAY.

As for celebrating her Olympic achievements and up to date engagement? King and Wells mentioned they’re planning on protecting issues low-key this weekend.

“I believe we’re going to go house and see our pets for just a little bit,” King mentioned.

King beforehand made headlines on the 2016 Summer season Olympics when she appeared to wag her finger at Russian swimmer Yuliya Efimova, who had beforehand been suspended for 16 months for doping, whereas watching her on a TV. 

King appeared to be mocking Efimova, who had wagged her finger in an analogous approach after successful an earlier semifinal warmth.

Then King swam her semifinal warmth and completed in first place and threw her finger up in an analogous approach once more.

“You realize, you’re shaking your finger No. 1 and also you’ve been caught for drug dishonest,” King later informed NBC Sports activities. “I’m simply not, you understand, I’m not a fan.”