Chinese diver accused of 'stealing girlfriend's thunder' by proposing to her as she accepts medal at Rio 2016

He Zi of China recieves a marriage proposal from her Olympic diver boyfriend Qin Kai
REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Hatty Collier15 August 2016

An Olympic diver sparked a backlash after apparently stealing his girlfriend's thunder by proposing during her medal ceremony in Rio.

Chinese athlete He Zi was receiving her silver medal for the women’s three-metre springboard on Sunday but ended up with another prize when her boyfriend Qin Kai got down on one knee.

Qin, her boyfriend of six years who won a bronze in the men’s three-metre synchronised springboard last week, approached the podium and presented his girlfriend with a little red velvet box.

Video and images show He Zi wiping tears from her eyes as she accepts before the pair embrace.

Qin Kai proposed to the sound of cheers from the Olympic crowd

Qin thrust his arms triumphantly as they left the podium to cheering approval of the crowd.

But some Olympic viewers suggested the shock proposal stole the limelight from her medal win.

Many people took to social media to complain that his proposal upstaged her glory.

He Zi performs during the women's 3m Springboard final
EPA/PATRICK B. KRAEMER

Bruno Sandilands said: “Definitely trolled her moment. Marriage proposal should be a personal and private moment - then and only then will you get a true answer. A lady should never feel pressurised into making a life changing decision on the spot. She has trained years for this let her enjoy her time.”

Trev Butler said: “Why did he have to steal her moment?”

Another said: “What a way to add pressure to her, having the entire world watch her as she makes such a private and life-changing decision.”

Charlotte L Riley tweeted: “Public proposals are bad enough but a public proposal that also detracts attention from the fact that she's just won a silver medal?! Nope.”

Lynn Schreiber said: "Hands up if you'd be *fuming* at having this amazing moment spoiled by a proposal."

Another user named Amy said: "The thought of a public proposal (on an Olympic podium of all places) is terrifying. What if she didn't know before/felt forced to say yes!?

Marcus wrote: “Imagine winning a silver medal and your boyfriend makes it all about him with a marriage proposal.”

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