The hook-up The pair first met in the Beijing Olympic Village where both were competing for Team GB. Personal bests She has a Commonwealth gold for the 50m butterfly and a World silver medal for the 100m freestyle. He was a member of the GB team that came fifth in Beijing.
Making headlines He played nurse to Halsall when the champion swimmer came down with the notorious ‘Delhi Belly’ during the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
He says ‘Fran assures me she could easily take up hockey and go to the next Olympics. And she always tells me that I can’t swim.’
High times
Who GB pole vaulter Steve Lewis, 25, and Leah Vause, 24, who is trialling for the Canadian team in the same sport.
The hook-up The pair met online in 2010 when Leah answered a Skype call meant for fellow Canadian vaulter Kelsie Hendry.
Personal bests Steve is GB number one, with a silver at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Leah may have to settle for being a spectator at London 2012: ‘I’m not expecting Olympic selection but I hope I’ll be considered.’
Making headlines After their online encounter Steve invited her to meet him in Germany where he was training. ‘We didn’t get off to the greatest start. I was late to meet her off the plane but luckily we bumped into each other at the airport.’
She says ‘It was certainly attraction at first sight.’
American sweethearts
Who Team USA swimmers Matt Grevers, 27, and Annie Chandler, 24.
The hook-up In 2007, poolside at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where Chandler was a student.
Personal bests Matt currently holds two Olympic gold relay medals and an individual silver for the 100m backstroke, while Annie makes her Olympic debut at this year’s Games in the freestyle event. He’s quite literally a giant in his field, measuring 6ft 8in. She’s got great sporting credentials as her father Tom Chandler is an American football legend.
Making headlines Grevers popped the question on the podium at a swim meet in Missouri in February this year. The YouTube video of the proposal has been viewed nearly three million times.
She says ‘Matt was the first guy I’d seriously dated and I guess will be the only guy I ever date, which is pretty special.’
Aussie rules
Who Australia’s taekwondo hopefuls Safwan Khalil, 25, and Carmen Marton, 25.
The hook-up They met a decade ago at the Taekwondo Junior World Championships.
Personal bests Carmen reached the quarter-finals in Beijing in 2008; Safwan will be going for gold after beating World Champion Joel Gonzales of Spain last year. She’s a welterweight fighter with a brutal head-kick; he’s competing in the men’s flyweight category under the training of his coach – and brother – Ali.
Making headlines The couple will be observing Ramadan during the Games, so will not be eating or drinking during the day.
She says ‘I love sparring with Saf because he’s talented. I know when I can score a point on him, or kick him in the face, that I’m doing pretty well.’
