Home/Olympics

via Imago

via Imago

In track and field, where speed, strength, and grace converge, oftentimes there ignites a spark of love. From Noah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield’s sprinting love story to the electrifying connection between Elaine Thompson-Herah and Derron Herah and the legendary love of Florence Griffith Joyner and Al Joyner, these power couples have not only conquered the track but also a world of love and support.

They have been proving that love can be the ultimate winner even in the fiercest competitions. Here are the top 5 couples who show that the world of track is not just a place for records but also the birthplace of whirlwind romances.

1. Noah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Noah Lyles, stands at the top as a force in American track and field currently, as he has been surpassing his competition time and time again. And by his side, offering her firm support, is his girlfriend, Junelle Bromfield, who is a sprinter herself, and who represents Jamaica in the 400-meter category. Bromfield’s achievements include a medal she won at the Tokyo Olympics as part of Team Jamaica’s 400-meter relay.

She also holds the 32nd position in the World Women?s 400m rankings and has won victories at the World Indoor Championships and the 2022 World Athletics Championship in Eugene. Their couple first crossed paths in 2022, creating a buzz on the internet as Tracks? new it couple. Their love story then became public with a wholesome Instagram post, as Lyles posted a reel of their journey with the caption, “Could be forever”.

via Imago

Bromfield too has shown her affection towards Lyles as she has been an ardent cheerleader at stadiums throughout his 2023 season. In interviews and online interactions too, they openly shared their admiration and support for one another, as Lyles has said how Bromfield’s presence brings him peace and comfort.

Their romantic getaway recently following Lyles’s triumphant Zurich Diamond League performance showcased their love. Sharing moments like a leisurely bicycle ride, they’ve melted hearts on Instagram, reinforcing their love both on and off the track. Their love story was also aptly described when Junelle Bromfield captioned their Swiss escapades as “Him and I”.

2. Elaine Thompson-Herah and Derron Herah

Elaine Thompson-Herah, a sprinting sensation and one of the world’s greatest sprinters, has made her mark in athletics, particularly at the Olympics. She continued Jamaica’s legacy by clinching gold in the women?s 100-meter sprint at the Tokyo Olympics with an Olympic record of 10.61 seconds. She’s hailed as one of the sprinting greats, boasting five Olympic gold medals and the title of the second-fastest woman ever.

Thompson-Herah, now 31, married her longtime boyfriend, Derron Herah, on November 2, 2019. The couple had kept most of their relationship private, but Thompson-Herah chose to announce her wedding to the world in grand fashion. Her Instagram became a canvas for their love story, adorned with wedding pictures and a heartfelt note dedicated to her husband. Derron Herah, like Elaine Thompson-Herah, is deeply rooted in the world of athletics. He, too, was a professional Jamaican athlete and later transitioned into a coaching role.

via Getty

At 40 years old, Derron Herrah boasts a background as a former St. Jago athlete and also has educational ties to Southwest Christian Junior College and Texas Tech University. After their marriage, Elaine embraced her husband’s name, becoming known as Elaine Thompson Herah, a symbol of their union both in love and in life.

In her own words, Elaine Thompson-Herah wrote, “I have a best friend as a husband, and he is my number one supporter. He?s a family man, and he?s always giving back to God. That is what makes him a beautiful man. We?re not perfect by any means, but that makes us beautiful as well. We?re not afraid to say we?re not perfect. We have our disagreements, but that comes along with marriage.”

3. Florence Griffith Joyner and Al-Joyner

The presence and effect of Florence Griffith Joyner, Flo-Jo, the fastest woman ever, are still felt in track and field. Her astonishing world records in the 100 meters (10.49 seconds) and 200 meters (21.34 seconds) in 1988, records that remain unbroken even in 2023.The story of Flo-Jo and her husband Al-Joyner is a love story fit for the movies. Their journey began at the 1980 Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, when both were just 20 years old. Al-Jo, a triple jumper, vividly recalls, “She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen,” and admired her humor and compassionate heart. While Flo-Jo was initially hesitant due to Al-Joyner’s existing relationship, fate intervened, and they eventually began dating.

via Getty

Al-Jo played a pivotal role in Flo-Jo’s career, serving as her coach and unwavering supporter. Together, they embarked on a journey that led Flo-Jo to become one of the greatest sprinters of all time. In 1987, they sealed their love with marriage and welcomed their daughter, Mary, in 1988. However, tragedy struck in 1998 when Flo-Jo passed away suddenly at the age of 38. Al-Jo was devastated by her loss but remained dedicated to preserving her legacy. He took on the role of president for the Florence Griffith Joyner Foundation, a charitable organization providing scholarships to young athletes and championing fitness and healthy living, ensuring Florence’s impact endured. A biopic based on Flo-Jo?s life is in the works. Al-Jo will serve as a producer and creative consultant on the project. He said, “I hope that this film touches all who see it and inspires people to be the change the world so desperately needs right now!”

4. Tara Davis and Hunter Woodhall

Tara Davis and Hunter Woodhall, the dynamic duo of the track and field world, have a love story that’s sweeter than victory itself. Davis competed in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 and placed 6th in the women?s long jump final. Woodhall competed in the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020 and won two silver medals and one bronze medal Their love story began in 2017 at a high school track meet in Idaho, when they were both just seniors. Hunter Woodhall, a sprinter born with fibular hemimelia, was immediately drawn to Tara Davis’s bold approach. Woodhall told Elle, “My first impression of her is that she was gorgeous,” he continued saying, “She walked right up to me and hugged me. No questions? I was like, “Wow, this girl is bold ? she knows what she wants.””

They followed each other on social media, entered a long-distance relationship as they pursued their collegiate careers, and their love blossomed over the years.?Their secret to success? Communication, trust, and patience, which they honed over four years of dating. Following the Tokyo Olympics, their love story culminated in a beautiful wedding ceremony in October 2022 in D’Vine Grace Vineyard, Texas. Recently, in 2023, Tara Davis clinched a silver medal at the world athletic championships in Budapest. But what made the moment even more heart-warming was Hunter Woodhall’s proud and loving embrace. Davis has stated how Hunter has been her biggest fan, “He always believes in me, even when I don’t believe in myself” said Davis showing the love and bond the two share.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

5. Sandi Morris and Tyrone Smith

Sandi Morris and Tyrone Smith, an American-Bermudian power couple, are joined by love and a passion for Olympic-level athleticism. Morris, who is a silver medallist in pole vaulting and Smith, who is a long jumper with three Olympic Games under his belt, first crossed paths at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Following the Olympics, their friendship grew into a romantic relationship. The couple then got engaged in August 2018 and married in October 2019, and built a life together in Austin, Texas. Morris has described Smith as her biggest cheerleader and a constant source of encouragement.? Smith, on the other hand, has said that Morris is his inspiration, with her ability to motivate him to always do his best. Morris speaking on their connection shared, “Our story is very embedded in the Olympics, and Rio is really where we got to know each other, spend time together, and I would go as far as to say we fell in love.”

Read more: In Pictures: Rare Image of Sha?Carri Richardson?s Second Mother Breaking Down Into Tears at World Athletics Championship 2023 Goes Viral

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Iconic pairs like Flo-Jo and Al-Jo, modern-day love stories like Noah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield, timeless bonds like Elaine Thompson-Herah and Derron Herah, college sweethearts Tara Davis and Hunter Woodhall, and dynamic duos like Sandi Morris and Tyrone Smith, these five couples have proven that love can be the driving force individually and together can burn mountains of doubt and challenges. These couples exemplify the true spirit of sportsmanship and love, whether it’s breaking world records, supporting each other through triumphs and setbacks, or encouraging a sense of togetherness.

Watch this story: Most Decorated Olympic Athlete Who Broke Usain Bolt?s Record Goes Down Memory Lane of Her Glorious Career