Alise Post and Sam Willoughby wouldn’t be the first engaged couple to compete in the same Olympics, but the BMX riders’ story is more unusual and emotional than others.
They are separated by nationality. Post is American. Willoughby is Australian. They are both medal contenders as the Rio Olympics approach.
They met in 2008, in person at a customary jersey swap when Post wanted to leave the World Championships with an Australian uniform, and virtually via MySpace messages.
“I always had a crush on Alise,” Willoughby, a 2012 Olympic silver medalist, said in a recent phone interview.