Who Is Laviai Nielsen’s Boyfriend? Everything to Know About Jason Harvey

As British sprinter Laviai Nielsen raced to two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, one constant stood just off the track—her long-time partner, Irish hurdler Jason Harvey. While Nielsen battled through the physical demands of competition and the emotional weight of her multiple sclerosis diagnosis, Harvey remained a steady source of encouragement. Their relationship, built on a shared understanding of elite athletics, has quietly supported Nielsen through her comeback journey, making her Olympic moment not just one of individual glory but of quiet, unwavering partnership.

Who is Jason Harvey? 

Jason Harvey isn’t just “Laviai’s boyfriend”—he’s a 400m hurdles specialist from Ireland, born on August 9, 1991. While he hasn’t hit Olympic podiums like Nielsen, he’s no slouch: he’s a European Team Championships 1st League winner and holds a personal best of 50.13 seconds in the 400-metre hurdles, all set in 2013.

In fact, Harvey’s career peaked alongside Nielsen’s rise. While she was bagging relay medals at the 2017 World Championships, he was grinding through national competitions in Ireland. These days, he’s shifted focus to coaching and supporting Nielsen’s career, though he still occasionally races for fun.

What is Jason Harvey’s Profession?

Jason’s a full-time athlete-turned-coach, leveraging his track experience to mentor rising talents. Though he hasn’t officially retired, his Instagram hints at a pivot toward training and event management. Back in his prime, he represented Ireland at the 2013 European Team Championships and snagged national indoor titles.

But let’s be real, his most high-profile role now is Nielsen’s hype man. During her Paris 2024 races, he was spotted in the stands wearing a custom “Team Laviai” hoodie, shouting splits louder than the announcers.

When Did Laviai Nielsen And Jason Harvey Start Dating?

The exact start date of Laviai and Jason’s relationship remains under wraps—no viral “first date” selfies or anniversary posts here. But the origin story traces back to the 2018 European Athletics Championships in Berlin. That’s where cameras caught them deep in conversation after Laviai qualified for the 400m final, sparking instant rumors. Did he slide into her DMs post-race? Did bonding over hurdle struggles turn into flirting? Neither has been confirmed, but insiders say their connection ignited that summer.

For years, they played it cool—no PDAs, just subtle hints like matching race-day kicks or Jason cheering in the stands at her races. Everything changed in 2023 when Laviai finally went public, posting a gym selfie with Jason captioned: “My weird and wonderful boyfriend.” Since then, they’ve leaned into the #CoupleGoals vibe: hiking trips, supportive IG stories during races (Jason’s “TEAM LAVIAI” hoodie at Paris 2024 went viral), and joking about who’s more competitive during kitchen dance-offs.

Fresh off her Olympic high, Nielsen’s eyes are on the 2025 World Championships and Diamond League circuit, where she’ll aim to break 49 seconds in the 400m. But don’t expect Harvey to stay sidelined—he’s reportedly plotting a coaching partnership with Nielsen’s twin sister, Lina (also a pro hurdler), to optimize their training.

Off the track, the couple’s rumored to be house-hunting in London, blending their UK-Irish roots. “We want a garden for future rescue dogs,” Nielsen joked in a recent interview. Whatever comes next, one thing’s clear: Harvey’s got her back—starting blocks to finish line.