Usain Bolt became engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Kasi Bennett, during his 40th birthday celebration in Kingston, Jamaica. The eight-time Olympic gold medalist popped the question at the One Belmont venue, according to local news outlets.
Bolt, who celebrated his birthday on Friday, proposed with a five-carat oval-shaped diamond engagement ring. Bennett, wearing a gold dress with silver sequin detailing, appeared surprised by the proposal, according to photos shared from the event. The couple shared an emotional hug after she accepted.
Family and friends were present for the occasion. Bennett shared photos and videos of the celebration on her Instagram story, including moments of her being emotional and dancing while displaying the new ring. A friend's message shared by Bennett indicated that while she had planned Bolt's birthday party, a surprise engagement was also secretly arranged.
Bennett had previously posted a tribute to Bolt for his birthday, sharing photos of him with their three children: daughter Olympia Lightning Bolt, 6, and twin sons Thunder Bolt and Saint Leo Bolt, 5. She described him as "an incredible dad" and "the centre of our little world."
Bolt and Bennett began dating in 2013 and publicly confirmed their relationship in 2016 during the Rio Olympics, which were Bolt's last. At those Games, Bolt achieved the "triple-triple," winning gold medals in the 100-meter, 200-meter, and 4×100-meter relay races. He holds the men's Olympic record for the 100-meter at 9.63 seconds, set in 2012, and the overall men's world record of 9.58 seconds, both achieved at the London and Berlin Games, respectively. The couple became Instagram official in September 2016 when Bennett posted a photo of them on vacation in Bora Bora.