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While Team USA’s Sophia Kirkby was sliding down the luge track at the Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, one bold fan was sliding into her DMs, reminding us all to shoot your shot.
Kirkby, a 24-year-old from Ray Brook, New York, is the self-proclaimed “Most Eligible Bachelorette” at the 2026 games, and she’s taking that title seriously.
“I’ve been so excited to enter the Olympic village. I’m happy to announce I’ll be showing you the inside life of an Olympian dating at the Olympics. Stay tuned,” she wrote on Instagram before her competition.
After finishing fifth in the women’s doubles event with partner Chevonne Forgan, Kirkby got to work on the real reason she was there – to find a husband.
“I’m fortunate that I’m one of the countries that gets to stay in the Olympic Village. The majority of my competitors I saw leave today, but fortunately for me, Team USA is one of the few countries that pays a premium for us to be here the entire time,” she told the New York Post. “So I’m just gonna have fun. It’s my vacation time.”
Apparently, that time and effort have paid off.
Sophia Kirkby Spends Valentine’s Day With Fan Who Slid In Her DMs
Nobody wants to spend Valentine’s Day alone. But competing in the Olympics is a pretty good excuse for doing so. Kirkby, however, didn’t let that hold her back.
She’ll be spending the day with a bold fan who slid into her direct messages and then flew out to Milan to spend time with the Olympian.
“He said, ‘Hey, I just found out I have the 13th to 16th off. Would it be weird if I came and booked an Airbnb five minutes from you?’” Kirkby told the Post. “And I was like, ‘Go ahead.’ He’s actually from the United States. He’s just currently living in the UK. And he flew here just to see me.”
Had she said no, it would, in fact, have been weird for him to come to Milan and book an Airbnb five minutes from her. However, given the fact that she not only responded but was open to the suggestion, clearly Kirkby is interested.
The pair is planning to spend Valentine’s Day together, but Kirkby also has several other dates planned.
“Unfortunately, I’m in a very small village. It consists of luge, and I already know all those people. Most of them have girlfriends, they’re married, they’re dating,” she said.
“Then there’s skeleton, I’m somewhat familiar with them. And then there’s bobsled. I’m not doing that again. My ex is a bobsledder. And then I think all the curlers have girlfriends.”
She noted that she’s probably received over 2,000 DMs in the last week since disclosing her eligibility. And given the way the Olympics have already gone, perhaps that shouldn’t be a surprise.