- Celeste Mucci qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics
- Jack Buckley faces a major AFL clash at the same time
Australian Olympian Celeste Mucci has given her verdict on whether her AFL star boyfriend will be able to join her at the Paris 2024 Olympics after she was initially too afraid to ask her coach for the week off.
GWS Giants defender Jack Buckley has had to make the difficult decision to miss an upcoming match in August to fly to Paris to support his girlfriend.
Buckley revealed on Triple M radio that he had broached the idea with GWS coach Adam Kingsley, who was not encouraging.
“I was in his (Kingsley’s) office a little while ago, and he loves track and field, so I was too afraid to ask him,” Buckley said.
‘He took the match and looked at who we had… (Brisbane in round 22). Then he said, ‘No, mate, you’re not going.’
Buckley wanted to be in Paris for Mucci’s 110m hurdles trials on Aug. 7, but that would likely mean missing a key game for the Giants.
GWS currently sit seventh in the AFL standings and the race for the finals looks tight.
The Giants have said they won’t stand in Buckley’s way if he decides to go to Paris, but the decision remains a difficult one as it affects their team during a crucial period.
GWS defender Jack Buckley had to make a tough decision after his girlfriend Celeste Mucci qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
To travel to Paris to support his teammate, Buckley would have to miss a crucial clash against the Brisbane Lions that could dictate whether the Giants make the final or not.
Now Mucci has spoken about the plight on Triple M Breakfast with Rosie, Wil & Daisy and revealed whether Buckley will be making the trip or not.
“We’ve been supporting each other from a distance. He’s going to be a big support either way, whether he’s here or not. It’s important for the Giants to have him,” Mucci said.
“As horrible as it is, it’s an Olympic year. I just hope the Giants do well and it’s worth it in the end. I hope I can come home and we can all celebrate together.”
Mucci is set to compete in her first Olympics after overcoming a serious hamstring injury earlier this year.
She shared her excitement on Instagram earlier this month, posting: ‘I’M GOING TO THE OLYMPICS. Delayed but not denied. This year was the hardest physically and mentally to try and qualify.
‘After tearing my hamstring and undergoing surgery in February, I did everything I could to get back to health.’
Mucci has overcome a major injury setback to take his place on the starting line in Paris
After narrowly missing out on selection for the Tokyo Olympics, Mucci made significant strides in the 100-meter hurdles.
In 2022, she was named to the Commonwealth Games team and competed at the World Championships, where she faced setbacks but continued to push forward.
Her 2023 season was her best yet, as Mucci posted her six fastest times and earned a spot on her seventh national team.
However, in early 2024, he suffered a hamstring injury that required surgery.
Despite this setback, Mucci successfully rehabilitated and returned to fitness, achieving impressive times in subsequent races.
