Julie gets first Olympic gold

Julie Stark, a physiotherapist with the British Olympic squad, was promised gold at the opening ceremony - when boyfriend Shaun Pearce asked her to marry him.

Shaun, a member of the British canoeing team, got down on both knees and told Julie he wanted to put a gold ring on her finger.

Julie stood in stunned silence ... and then smiled and said, "Yes".

Team members who were standing to attention in the sweltering stadium in Atlanta broke into cheers.

And as athletes from other countries gathered round, Shaun, 26, placed an engagement ring on Julie's left hand. Julie, 33, said: "It was so romantic. I was so happy that I cried throughout the rest of the ceremony". The couple live in Beeston, Nottingham. But last night a minor detail emerged which could delay the wedding plans - Shaun is married. He split with Christine Pearce last year, but their divorce has not yet been finalised.

Olympic Special - See Sport

Copyright 1996 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.