“I think we still have some unfinished business“, said Gerek Meinhardt going into the Paris Olympics this year. The US fencing team has previously reigned at #1 in the world rankings and has collected a bronze medal at the Rio de Janeiro Games. But this time, the team, featuring Lewis Hamilton’s “bestie” Miles Chamley-Watson had its eyes on the gold. Working through the group stages, they easily got into the semi-final by defeating a formidable Egypt squad. Seeing his dear friend qualify for the semis at the Olympics, Hamilton decided to fly to Paris and support Chamley-Watson.

The Grand Palais in France saw Lewis Hamilton take the front-row seat to watch the semi-final 2 between Team USA and Team Italy. Right by the side of the Mercedes racer was Winter Olympics legend Shaun White and his girlfriend Nina Dobrev. And this year’s torchbearer Snoop Dogg had also joined them for the spectacle as Miles-Chamley Watson’s tin foil clashed against that of the opponents. However, call it tough luck or just the pressure of performing in front of his best friend, Chamley-Watson’s team lost the match.

Winning the semis would have meant that Team USA would go straight into the finale for a gold or a silver. However, the Italians reigned during both the bouts where Miles Chamley-Watson played. In the first relay, Alexander Massialas got a 5-2 lead for USA but the Italians won the next two relays with 8-4 and 5-1 scores. At the end of Relay 3, they had a 15-10 match advantage. The Americans then responded by winning the next two rounds, as they almost evened the score to 25-24. During Relay 6, Chamley-Watson took the stage against Tommaso Marini and he tied the score with just 2:27 remaining on the clock. However, the 35-year-old lost the competition eventually.

However, Lewis Hamilton stood by his friend in support. And even now, all hope is not lost as Miles Chamley-Watson will appear in the bronze medal match against France. While the day didn’t end on a nice note for the fencer, he did have Lewis Hamilton cheering for him. So, how did the fencer greet the 7-time World Champion?

Chamley-Watson’s warm hug with Lewis Hamilton oozes good vibes

Be it sunbathing during their off-time or cheering for each other at their competitions, Hamilton and Chamley-Watson are the true definitions of friendship goals. The 39-year-old had previously spoken about how he hoped to be with Miles at the Olympics. “So, I have a really good friend, Miles Chamley-Watson, who’s competing in fencing. We’ve been supporting each other all the time, and we talk pretty much every day. So, I know how hard he’s been working, and I would love to be with him on that,” Hamilton previously said.

The life of a Formula 1 racer comes with a grueling schedule that can make even the best of the best exhausted. But since it’s currently summer break in F1, Hamilton did reach Paris to support Miles Chamley-Watson, and the two shared a warm hug before the semi-final began.

Miles’ bronze medal match against France will take place shortly. Do you think Hamilton will stick around for that game too?