Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
Sport

Two-time World Cup winner Rapinoe, WNBA champ Bird announce engagement

FILE PHOTO: Mar 11, 2020; Frisco, Texas, United States forward Megan Rapinoe (15) passes the ball during the 2020 She Believes Cup soccer series against Japan at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Two-time soccer World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe and 11-time WNBA All-Star Sue Bird are getting hitched.

The sports power couple announced their engagement with a photo posted to Bird's Instagram account on Friday and a representative for Rapinoe confirmed the news to Reuters, as congratulations for the couple poured in across social media.

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Bird, 40, won her fourth WNBA title with the Storm earlier this month, bouncing back after missing all of the 2019 season due to a knee injury.

FILE PHOTO: Oct 6, 2020; Bradenton, Florida, USA; Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird (10) dribbles during game three of the 2020 WNBA Finals at IMG Academy. Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports

Rapinoe, who claimed the Ballon d'Or in 2019 after a career-defining year in which she won her second World Cup title, along with the Golden Boot and Golden Ball, was a regular fixture on the sidelines during the 2020 WNBA season, which took place entirely inside a quarantined setting in Bradenton, Florida, due to the new coronavirus.

The pair, who have been an item for more than three years, became the first openly gay couple to appear in the ESPN "Body Issue" in 2018, and have together been vocal advocates for a variety of political and social causes.

The announcement prompted well-wishes from numerous high-profile figures in sport and politics.

"Love will always win," tweeted former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee. "Congratulations, @S10Bird and @mPinoe!"

(Reporting by Amy Tennery; Editing by William Mallard and Jane Wardell)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.