2024 Olympics: Rower Justin Best Proposes to Girlfriend With 2,738 Yellow Roses in Nod to Snapchat Streak

Team USA rower Justin Best—who won a gold medal Aug. 1—proposed to girlfriend Lainey Duncan at the 2024 Paris Olympics surrounded by 2,738 yellow roses in honor of their Snapchat Streak.

By Sabba Rahbar Aug 06, 2024 12:59 AMTags
Watch: 2024 Olympics: Athletes Who are Making History in Paris!

Now that's one way to honor a Snap streak.

Team USA rower Justin Best, who won the gold medal in the men's four race with his rowing team at the 2024 Olympics Aug. 1, will be heading home from Paris with more than just a win: He also officially has a fiancée.

The 26-year-old proposed to Lainey Duncan, his girlfriend of over seven years, live on Today Aug. 5, surrounded by 2,738 yellow roses, a nod to couple's Snapchat streak that has lasted 2,738 days in a row. The two have kept the streak going since they started dating after starring as the co-leads in their high school's musical.

"Lainey Olivia Duncan, you are the love of my life," Justin said as he got down on one knee in front of the Eiffel Tower. "You have been with me since day one."

Justin explained that he knew Lainey was special, especially as she was incredibly supportive of his Olympic dreams from their very first date, telling him to "Go for it."

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"You are stunningly beautiful, ferociously intelligent. Your kindness is bent leaps and bounds," he continued. "I don't know anyone that doesn't love you."

Zach Franzen

But of course, he saved the best for last, saying to the 26-year-old, "This is going to be the easiest question of my life. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and raise a family together. Lainey, will you marry me?"

Lainey immediately gave a yes and the two shared a kiss, with Lainey getting red lipstick all over Justin's face and joking, "You look fabulous."

As for how Snapchat continues to be a vital part of their relationship?

"Obviously we communicated through Snapchat," Justin told her. "Our streak is 2,738 right now. So there are 2,738 yellow roses from Snapchat. Our love is truly now immortalized."

Lainey could not stop smiling, saying, "I am so, so happy. This is the best day of my life!"

And despite being an Olympian, Justin had plenty of nerves to contend with before the proposal.

"I am just as nervous as I was lining up for the start line," he told Today after putting a ring on it. "I don't know—if I had a heart rate monitor on, it might be like 130 beats per minute."

Instagram/Lainey Duncan

He added, "I got the gold and the girl—and she got the diamond!"

But Justin and Lainey aren't the only couple to get engaged in Paris. Team China badminton player Liu Yuchen popped the question to fellow teammate Huang Yaqiong after she won gold in the mixed doubles competition Aug. 2.

"I was surprised by the engagement ring," she told Olympics.com after the proposal. "I've been focusing on training to become an Olympic champion. I never expected it."

And Team Argentina's men's handball player Pablo Simonet also proposed to girlfriend, Maria Campoy—a member of the country's women's hockey team—in the Olympic Village before the Games, writing on Instagram July 24, "The woman of my life gave me the yes."

For more of the best moments for the 2024 Paris Olympics, keep reading.

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Let's GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

LeBron James and Steph Curry were definitely feeling it after the USA men's basketball team beat Serbia to advance to the finals.

2 Become 1

Xu Shixiao and Sun Mengya from Team China were clearly working together during the women's canoe double 500-meter semifinal.

Come On, Gold!

Team USA's Sha'carri Richardson picked up her first gold in the women's 4x100-meter relay.

A Most Iconic Duo

Everyone's favorite BFFs Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart hitched a ride on a golf cart.

High Kicks

Team China's Liang Yushuai gave folks a new photo pose to try next time they visit the Eiffel Tower.

Careful With the Bike!

Dutch cyclist Harrie Lavreysen was very enthusiastic about nabbing a second gold medal.

Shock and Awe

Emma Roberts couldn't believe what she was seeing during the men's semi-final basketball match between the USA and Serbia.

Chomping On the Gold

Tara Davis-Woodhall of Team USA went for the customary biting of the medal after winning gold in the women's long jump.

Don't Lose Your Shirt

Sergio Camello of Spain found his own way to celebrate after scoring his fifth goal against France.

A Trip to Sesame Street

Elmo loves getting hugs from Simone Biles.

Tuck It In

Emilia Nilsson Garip of Sweden dove into the water during the women's 3 meters springboard final.

A Slam Dunk

Gabrielle Union was cheering on Team USA as they went head-to-head with Serbia in the men's basketball semi-final match.

Nothing Left For Them To Do But Dance

Team Spain got into the groove during the rhythmic gymnastics competition.

Royal Onlookers

Ben-Sylvester Strautmann, Alexandra de Hanovre, Prince Albert of Monaco and Alain Bernard cheer while at the Men's Team Bronze medal match.

Double the Fun

Paulina Paszek and Jule Marie Hake of Team Germany celebrate earning third place in the Women's kayak double 500m final.

Zoom In

Carmelo Anthony wanted to remember the moment as he and son Kiyan Anthony watched Team USA beat Serbia in men's basketball.

A Queen

Team USA's Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone celebrated after breaking her own record and winning gold in the women's 400m hurdles final.

Twisting Every Which Way

Elzhana Taniyeva of Kazakhstan showed off her very impressive range at the rhythmic gymnastics Individual all round.

Parisian Pride

One fan really wanted everyone to know which country he was rooting for.

Go, Dad, Go

Bronny James cheered on father LeBron James as Team USA took on Serbia in the Men's basketball semifinals competition.

Quick Break

Noah Lyles of Team USA needed a second after competing in the men's 200m final.

Not the Face!

Great Britain's Bradly Sinden tried to protect the goods during the Men's Taekwondo 68kg quarterfinals.

Dance It Out

Italy's Milena Baldassarri put on quite the show during the rhythmic gymnastics individual all-around competition.

Yee-Haw!

Tara David-Woodhall pulled out the cowboy hat after winning gold in women's long jump competition.

Flying Through the Air

Team USA's Tom Schaar put on quite the aerial display while competing in the men's park skateboarding final.

Go Team!

USA's water polo team was full of excitement as they beat Australia and advanced to the semifinals. 

Going for the Ball

The game was heated as the USA took on Nigeria in the women's quarterfinal basketball match.

One Final Hurdle

Grant Holloway repped the USA after winning the gold medal in the Men's 110m hurdles final.

Do You Even Lift?

Venezuela's Katherin Echandia Zarate showed that she never skips arm day during the weightlifting competition.

An Unfortuante Spill

Michelle Jenneke of Australia didn't quite clear her hurdle in her Women's 100m heat.

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