The Olympic power couples set to shine in the city of love
Australia’s sporting stars are preparing to put themselves to the greatest test at the Paris Olympics this month – but plenty of people will be tuning in just to see the partners of these loved-up athletes.
Fiona Byrne
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The stars of sport are about to put themselves to the greatest test at the Olympic Games in Paris.
But it won’t only be their efforts in the sporting arena that will be drawing attention.
The WAGS and significant others of the Australian flag flyers – the Olympic love interests, if you will – will also garner attention.
Among the couples are several who will be representing different countries in competition at the Games.
The Olympics will be held in Paris from 26 July to 11 August 2024.
Kyle Chalmers and Ingeborg Loyning
Australian swimming star Kyle Chalmers recently announced his engagement to Norwegian swimmer Ingeborg Loyning. Loyning was part of the Norwegian swim team at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Chalmers, who won gold in the 100m freestyle at the 2016 Rio Olympics and silver in the same event at the Tokyo Olympics, is aiming to make another splash in the prestigious sprint event at the Paris Olympics.
Emma McKeon and Cody Simpson
Australia’s most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon will be cheered on in Paris by her boyfriend, singer/poet/model turned swimmer turned singer, Cody Simpson. Simpson narrowly failed to land a spot on the Australian swim team after putting his music career on hold four years ago to chase his dream of Olympic selection.
Simone Pearce and Martin Fuchs
Elegant Australian dressage rider Simone Pearce is heading to her second Olympics in Paris, having competed at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Pearce will be joined at the games by her boyfriend, Swiss equestrian Martin Fuchs. Fuchs will represent Switzerland in the showjumping. He is a former Olympian, having ridden at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and is ranked in the top 10 showjumpers in the world.
Saya Sakakibara and Romain Mahieu
BMX racing star Saya Sakakibara made her Olympic debut at Tokyo in 2021 and is now heading to Paris.
She will be in good company at the games, given her boyfriend Romain Mahieu will be there competing in the BMX Racing for France.
Mahieu, a BMX racing World Champion and World Cup Champion in 2023, is based in Australia with Sakakibara. Tokyo was his Olympic debut.
Kaylee McKeown and Brendon Smith
A power couple of the pool, Aussie swimmers Kaylee McKeown and Brendon Smith are both heading to Paris. KcKeown made her Olympic debut in Tokyo in 2021 winning three gold medals. At the same games Smith collected bronze in the 400m individual medley.
Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter
After pulling out of his Wimbledon quarterfinals clash with Novak Djokovic due to injury, all eyes are on Australian tennis player Alex de Minaur to see if he will recover in time to take his place on the court at Roland-Garros for the tennis competition at the Paris Olympics later this month.
De Minaur has been selected in the Australian Olympic team.
His girlfriend, Katie Boulter, will also be at the Olympics, representing Great Britain in tennis.
Patty Mills and Alyssa Mills
Lining up for his fifth Olympics, basketball star Patty Mills is a leading light of Australian sport.
Mills married his wife Alyssa, who he met while they were both attending Saint Mary’s College of California, in Hawaii in 2019.
Alyssa is the founder of the fashion label Strait and she and Mills are one of sports most fashionable couples.
Cameron McEvoy and Madeline Bone
Swimmer Cameron McEvoy is diving in for his fourth Olympics in Paris, having previously represented Australia at London in 2012, Rio in 2016 and Tokyo 2021.
McEvoy is dating PhD candidate Madeline Bone.
Mary Fowler and Nathan Cleary
One of the highest profile sporting couples in Australia, soccer star Mary Fowler has been dating rugby league player Nathan Cleary since August 2023.
Fowler represented Australia at the Tokyo Olympics and is fronting up again in Paris.
Rohan Browning and Alix Leighton
Sprinter Rohan Browning’s partner is Alix Leighton. The couple met at the University of Sydney in 2018 when they were both studying law.
Jock Landale and India Maddern
Basketballer Jock Landale has a hectic few weeks ahead of him. Landale will make his Olympic debut in Paris before marrying his fiance India Maddern in England in August. Maddern is the niece of Channel 7 Melbourne newsreader Rebecca Maddern.
Landale proposed to Maddern in 2022 in New York City’s Central Park.
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