Olympic Hockey Player Nicolás Keenan Shares Personal Reflections on 'Heated Rivalry,' Relating Series to Early Relationship with Fiancé Rob Jetten

Nicolás Keenan, a 28-year-old Argentine Olympic field hockey player engaged to Dutch politician Rob Jetten, recently shared on his Instagram story that he strongly relates to the Canadian gay hockey romance series Heated Rivalry. Keenan, who plays for HC Klein Zwitserland in The Hague, posted after watching episode three: “This is definitely the one I’ve liked and related to the most so far. ” The series, available on Amazon Prime, follows rival hockey players who develop a secret romantic relationship, including explicit scenes, starring Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, with a subplot involving François Arnaud's character.

Keenan drew direct parallels to his relationship with Jetten, leader of the Dutch liberal party D66. He reflected on the early days: “Not letting Rob come to my games. Not letting him be part of my socials. Passing him on the street and acting like he was a stranger. ” Keenan added, “Watching it now in the show… yeah, not proud of it, ” expressing regret while noting he would continue watching. The couple met in The Hague, where Keenan has lived since 2017, and Jetten serves in parliament; they often encountered each other nearby, similar to a series subplot where characters meet at a smoothie shop called Straw+Berry and begin a hidden romance.

Keenan publicly announced their engagement during the Paris 2024 Olympics, a milestone for visibility in men's field hockey, where he became the first Dutch league player to come out as queer. Jetten proposed in spring 2025, with a wedding planned soon after. Their story gained attention amid D66's strong election performance in November 2025, positioning Jetten as a potential prime minister and Keenan as the Netherlands'possible first gentleman.

The couple's openness contrasts with initial secrecy driven by personal caution, a theme resonant in LGBTQ+ communities navigating public life in sports and politics. Keenan has competed in the Tokyo and Paris Olympics for Argentina and maintains that his professional life remains unchanged despite political spotlight. They met casually in a supermarket in summer 2022, when Jetten temporarily relocated nearby due to security concerns from farmers'protests. Jetten has publicly addressed homophobic hostility, reading hate mail in 2020, underscoring challenges faced by openly gay figures.

Keenan's Instagram post amplifies representation in queer media, as fans previously likened their romance to Red, White & Royal Blue. By sharing vulnerably, Keenan models growth for transgender people, gay athletes, and their partners, fostering dialogue on evolving LGBTQ+ relationships under public scrutiny. Jetten frequently highlighted their love during the campaign with evident joy. This event, while personal, underscores broader impacts on visibility for LGBTQ+ individuals in elite sports and potential national leadership.