"I guess Ive never thought of Zach as my ex," Hubbell said after a practice earlier this week. Diaz and his partner, Olivia Smart, are farther down the standings as they try to improve on their rhythm dance with a memorable final performance for Spain. "It has never been a very close fight," a Spanish ice dancer at the Beijing Olympics admits about his American fiance -- who is also his opponent. Most ice dance partnerships are not real-life couples, even though a necessary part of a winning program is showing off precisely that kind of chemistry. This is my confidant.' Hubbell and her longtime partner, Zachary Donohue, are in third place and aiming for a medal when the American duo concludes competition Monday with the free dance. Meet the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating team and who we expect to medal. "We met [in the] early 2000s," Bates recalled. Empower Team USA athletes to achieve sustained competitive excellence and well-being. Engaged ice dancers face off at Olympics | PerthNow Saving grace for those without the same forethought. BEIJING -- Three years after Adrian Diaz popped the question to Madison Hubbell on a high cliff overlooking the romantic port city of Barcelona, the two Olympic ice . There happens to be a florist in the Olympic Village, though. Montana-born ice dancer Tim Koleto also planned ahead, bringing a gift for his wife, Misato Komatsubara. Elite athletes are used to defying the odds, after all. "Itll be done in sobs."). But in the practical sense, there isn't much competition at all. "She's always been at the top and we're fighting to get to the top so it's never been a direct competition," he said, standing next to Smart. Like during the team event last week, when Hubbell helped the U.S. win the silver medal which could be elevated to gold once the Russian doping scandal reaches its conclusion. (Getty) Imagine having to compete against the person you. By Anna Harrington and Steve Larkin / AFL. BEIJING TEXT UPDATES: Get behind-the-scenes access to the Tokyo Olympics. Hubbell and her longtime partner, Zachary Donohue, are in third place and aiming for a medal when the American duo concludes competition Monday with the free dance. We talk about it often that it was fate that we found each other the way we did, Koleto said. "The more romantic ways no longer exist, but its something that goes kind of beyond an everyday expression of emotion or even a cognizant feeling.". Montana-born ice dancer Tim Koleto also planned ahead, bringing a gift for his wife, Misato Komatsubara. April 13, 2018, 10:26 p.m. (ET). First, though, theyll have to spend Valentines Day in the most awkward way imaginable: competing against each other. How are you planning on spending Valentines Day? There are quite a few real-life couples at the Winter Olympics, and they count themselves fortunate: The closed-loop system put in place to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks included a ban on foreign visitors, so those who arrived in Beijing with their significant other as a coach, teammate or, yes, even a rival, will get to spend Valentines Day together. Yet sometimes those partnerships turn into more. Most ice dance partnerships are not real-life couples, even though a necessary part of a winning program is showing off precisely that kind of chemistry. All Hubbell and Donohue also won the 2018 U.S. championships and placed fourth at the 2018 Olympics in February. After all, boxes of chocolates are hard to come by in the Olympic bubble and a candlelight dinner pretty much impossible. Putting your career, your dream, in their hands. Indeed, Hubbell and Donohue are among the elites of the ice dance world, a pair that was once an off-ice couple but was so good on it that they stayed partners and best friends even when the relationship ended. Repeatedly checking your phone in tears, wondering why your crush wont reply? Indeed, Hubbell and Donohue are among the elites of the ice dance world, a pair that was once an off-ice couple but was so good on it that they stayed partners - and best friends - even when the relationship ended. Madison Hubbell competing against fiance at Winter Olympics - KHOU Diaz and his partner, Olivia Smart, are farther down the standings as they try to improve on their rhythm dance with a memorable final performance for Spain. That was the case for American ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates. In last weeks team event, Diaz was able to cheer on his partner and the U.S. from the stands, which gave Hubbell an added feeling of love. Koleto began his career as a singles skater before switching to dance in 2013 and teaming with Yura Kim to represent South Korea. And its part of that calm I think that were feeling on the ice now with each other. Diaz was in the stands as Hubbell won team silver with United States although that could yet be upgraded to gold, depending on the outcome of the. Hubbell rules the rink with skating partner . True test of love: Engaged ice dancers face off at Olympics But it wasnt a choice for us," said Hubbell, 30. " And he still looks at me and hes like, 'Its fine and I love you and Ill see you tomorrow.' Diaz even said he had a gift for Hubbell, although he wouldn't spoil the surprise Saturday night.