Moffatt engaged to fellow Rio Olympian

When Moffatt races at her third Olympics in Rio, the 31-year-old will do so with a brand new sparkler on her ring finger and her fiance watching on.

Australian triathlete Emma Moffatt

Rio-bound triathlete Emma Moffatt has become engaged to a fellow Olympian, kayaker Daniel Bowker. (AAP)

It's been a whirlwind few weeks for Australian triathlete Emma Moffatt - and not just because she qualified for a record third Olympics.

When Moffatt races in Rio for a second medal to go with her Beijing bronze from 2008, the 31-year-old will do so with a brand new sparkler on her ring finger and her fiance watching on.

Moffatt revealed her partner, Rio-bound kayaker Daniel Bowker, popped the question a few weeks ago in what she described as a "romantic" kitchen proposal.

"We were just dancing in the kitchen, he asked me to do a slow turn and popped down on one knee," she said.

"We often have a little dance in the kitchen so I had no clue what was going on, it was a very big surprise.

"It's been a big year for us both and it's very exciting to have a similar journey.

"He's on the other side of the world but we still feel like we're doing it together."

Bowker sealed his Olympic debut two months ago while Moffatt booked her ticket to Brazil at April's triathlon world series event on the Gold Coast.

She's already changed up her training regime in preparation for Rio's hilly bike leg, and will head to England for next month's world series meet in Leeds before visiting Bowker in Europe and returning to Australia to fine-tune.

Memories of her bike crash at the London Games have fuelled Moffatt's Rio run to a point, but the Moree native has learnt to let go of the disappointment and focus her energies on a podium finish.

"Getting a medal in Beijing was the highlight of my career," she said.

"You aim for as high as you can ... but it's very tough and it's an Olympic Games so you never know what's going to happen.

Moffatt is helping guide Bowker through his first Olympic experience, but is also benefiting from the 28-year-old's rookie excitement levels.

"He's doing his first-ever World Cups," she said.

"Just talking to him about it and hearing his excitement and enthusiasm is really special.

"It does rub off, and makes you appreciate it and realise you're actually going.

"It's really nice to see him be like that and makes me reflect on what I should be doing as well - just enjoying it."


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Source: AAP



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