Matt Grevers and Annie Chandler Engaged After Grand Prix Proposal
Olympic Swimmer Popped the Question During Missouri Grand Prix
Matt Grevers has proposed to fellow swimmer and girlfriend Annie Chandler Saturday.
The Olympic swimmer proposed to his girlfriend of four years just in time for Valentine's Day. He "popped" the question right after a first place finish in the 100-meter backstroke at the Missouri Grand Prix.
Grevers, 26, surprised his girlfriend by proposing while on the metal podium to receive his trophy at the event.
Chandler, who is on the USA national swimming team with Grevers, was clearly surprised by the public proposal and drooped down to her knees as she said yes.
"I took it out a little fast because my heart was racing the whole time," Grevers told reporters.
"If I didn't get first it wouldn't have worked out so well," the swimmer added.
The proposal was intended to come as Chandler was on the stand, but Chandler unexpectedly placed fifth during her Friday meet at the Missouri event.
Thus, Grevers was felt an enormous amount of pressure before he began his Saturday competition, as he needed to ensure a win to follow through with his proposal plan.
Nevertheless, Grevers' older brother, who also serves as his coach, told him that swimming under such pressure would be a good challenge.
"This is a real-time situation for the Olympics. When you're really nervous, this is what you're going to feel like. So prepare well," coach Andy Grevers told the local Missouri paper St. Louis today.
"Swim well here, and you can swim well anywhere," he added.
Grevers holds two metals from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He is set to swim at London's 2012 Olympics, as is Chandler.
The pair trains together at Tucson Ford in Arizona.