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Chris Radburn / AP
Olympic relay torchbearer David State stops midway through his run to propose to his girlfriend, Christine Langham, before continuing the relay.
The Olympic flame sparked a romantic moment Monday when torchbearer David State stopped midway through his relay to propose to his girlfriend, eliciting rounds of cheers from the surrounding crowd.
State, 25, was running between Marske-by-the-Sea and his hometown of Loftus, England when he stopped to embrace his girlfriend, Christine Langham, 25. Langham, who is eight months pregnant, said she had no idea State was stopping to propose.
She told the BBC, "I saw him running up the hill and I was pretty proud at that. I was trying not to cry. And then he gave his torch to somebody and gave me a cuddle, which was nice, and then he got down on one knee and I nearly passed out. Nearly had my baby there and then."
Shortly after finishing the race, State told reporters that the proposal was “absolutely amazing,” and called it a very special moment. He had secretly planned the proposal with the relay organizers.
Watch the moving proposal here:
According to State’s official nomination story, he is a active member of his community, helping with social programs designed to improve the quality of life for people in his community. In the last ten years, he has raised nearly $16,000 for charity, a number he has been hoping to increase this year with the completion of four more charity runs. He also volunteers with the British Red Cross and his local police department where he fights “crime and anti-social behavior.”
The Olympic flame has been on a journey across the UK as part of its 8,000-mile trek. Thousands of inspirational people were chosen from across the UK to carry the flame, all nominated by their own friends and family.
State, a committed athlete, said he had to keep running with the torch soon after he popped the question to Langham. “I think the words 'I've got to go' came out of my mouth as soon as I proposed," he said.
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