Justin Best has become a beacon in the constellation of Olympic glory. The junior investment banker, whose days were once consumed by spreadsheets and market trends, found a different kind of gold in the Seine River. Rowing alongside three determined teammates, he etched his name into history, securing the first-ever Olympic gold medal for the United States in the sport.
But it was not just athletic prowess that defined Best's Parisian triumph. The City of Love, renowned for its romantic allure, became the stage for a personal victory equally as momentous. With the Eiffel Tower casting its enchanting glow, Best dropped to one knee and proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Lainey Duncan.
A spectacle of romance unfolded before a captivated audience, as 2798 of yellow roses, a symbol of both friendship and new beginnings, painted a picture of enduring love. According to the news website Today, gold medalist Justin Best proposed to Lainey Duncan on live TV. “Lainey Olivia Duncan, you are the love of my life,” the investment analyst and Olympic champion said as he got down on his knee in front of Duncan, who seemed completely stunned by the proposal.
“I knew you were special — it was the first date. I said to you, 'I wanted to go to the Olympics,' and you, without question, said 'Yeah, absolutely. Go for it,'”.
“You are stunningly beautiful. ferociously intelligent. Your kindness is bent leaps and bounds — I don't know anyone that doesn't love you,” he added.
“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?” Best, 26, asked Duncan, who was nearly in tears as she said yes.
The number of roses was no coincidence. Each rose represented a day shared with Lainey, a testament to the depth and longevity of their bond. “Each yellow rose represents a day that you and I have been together.
Obviously we communicated through Snapchat. Our streak is 2,738 right now. So there are 2,738 yellow roses from Snapchat.
Our love is truly now immortalized.” It was a proposal as grand and unforgettable as the Olympic victory that preceded it. “I am so, so happy.
This is the best day of my life,” he was quoted as saying by Today. As the world watched in awe, a new chapter began for this extraordinary couple. The man who once balanced ledgers now balances love with Olympic gold.
His LinkedIn profile, a testament to his professional journey, now proudly displays the title ‘Olympic Champion.’.
