James Magnussen is left heartbroken as he shares devastating news: ‘We were attached at the hip’

By ALI DAHER FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 04:08 BST, 9 May 2025 | Updated: 04:09 BST, 9 May 2025

James Magnussen has lost his ‘best friend’ in a heartbreaking blow. 

The Olympian took to Instagram on Friday to celebrate his little mate’s life by sharing a carousel of images of his beloved pooch, Olli. 

He moved many of his followers as he reflected on the happier times with the adored family member who spent a lot of his life ‘being carried around like the king of the castle’. 

‘Rest in peace, my gorgeous guy. I lost my best friend this week,’ he began. 

‘We were attached at the hip, literally. Olli spent a large part of his life under my left arm being carried around like the king of the castle.

‘He was the bravest, smartest, happiest little Saus, and I miss him like crazy.’

James Magnussen has lost his ‘best friend’ in a heartbreaking blow

He continued: ‘Rose and I will never forget you, little man. I hope you are back up on all fours and running around again like the speedster you are.’

In happier news, the former swimmer proposed to his Rose McEvoy in August last year, just weeks after wrapping up work on the Olympics in Paris.

Rose took to social media at the time to share intimate footage of the proposal.

‘For the first time in my life, I was speechless,’ McEvoy wrote on a shared Instagram post, including a video of the moment Magnussen got down on one knee.

‘You can assume it’s a yes. James Magnussen I love you more than words can describe.’

The giddy couple could barely contain their excitement as they embraced on a floating wooden dock, while Magnussen waited for a friend to capture the special moment which took place during a holiday at Hvar Island in Croatia.

McEvoy looked genuinely stunned as she turned towards her partner, expecting to pose for a video rather than have a ring put on her finger.

‘If you push me in (the water) I’m going home,’ McEvoy joked before ‘The Missile’ quickly knelt down and pulled a ring out from his pocket.

The Olympian took to Instagram on Friday to celebrate his little mate’s life by sharing a carousel of images of his beloved pooch, Olli

He moved many of his followers as he reflected on the happier times with the adored family member who spent a lot of his life ‘being carried around like the king of the castle’

In happier news, the former swimmer proposed to his fiancé Rose McEvoy in August last year, just weeks after wrapping up work on the Olympics in Paris

‘I love you, will you marry me?,’ the ex-swimmer said as McEvoy held back tears and family and friends surrounding the couple cheered.

The model and actor’s jaw dropped and she stumbled slightly at the question, turning towards their friends with her mouth hanging open in a shocked grin.

Magnussen had to tug at his partner’s arm gently to remind her to answer the question.

The lovebirds later shared the joyous news with their friends, with McEvoy flaunting the giant diamond ring.

Magnussen and McEvoy have been dating for 10 years and met when Magnussen was a 23-year-old Olympic freestyler and McEvoy was a 21-year-old law student and part-time model.

The first reports of their union surfaced in 2014 when she uploaded a a picture of herself cuddling up with her beau on her 21st birthday.

:
James Magnussen is left heartbroken as he shares devastating news: ‘We were attached at the hip’

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk