Aussie Olympics star reveals what she thought about her footy star boyfriend being too scared to ask his coach if he could go to Paris to support her

Australian Olympic competitor Celeste Mucci has spoken out about whether her AFL star boyfriend will be allowed to travel with her to the 2024 Paris Olympics, after initially being reluctant to ask his coach for a week off.

Jack Buckley, a defender for the GWS Giants, was faced with the difficult decision of whether to miss a game in August to fly to Paris and support his girlfriend.

Buckley told Triple M radio he had discussed the idea with GWS coach Adam Kingsley, but he was not very enthusiastic.

I was in his [Kingsley’s] “I spoke to him in my office a while ago, and he’s into athletics, so I was actually hesitant to ask him,” Buckley said.

‘He took the match calendar and looked at who we had… [Brisbane in Round 22]. So he said, ‘No, buddy, you’re not going.’

Buckley wanted to be in Paris on August 7 for Mucci’s 110m hurdles heats, but that would likely mean missing an important competition for the Giants.

GWS currently sit seventh on the AFL ladder and the battle for the finals looks exciting.

The Giants have said they will not stand in Buckley’s way if he decides to go to Paris, but it remains a difficult decision because it affects his team at a crucial time.

To travel to Paris and support his partner, Buckley would miss a crucial match against the Brisbane Lions that could decide whether the Giants play in the final or not.

Mucci has now opened up about the difficult situation on Triple M Breakfast with Rosie, Wil & Daisy and revealed whether Buckley will be joining him or not.

“We’ve been supporting each other from a distance. He’s going to be a great support no matter what, whether he’s there or not. It’s important for the Giants to have him,” Mucci said.

“As bad 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 will be competing at the Olympic Games for the first time after suffering a serious hamstring injury earlier this year.

She shared her excitement on Instagram earlier this month, posting: ‘I AM GOING TO THE OLYMPICS. Postponed but not denied. This year has been the hardest physically and mentally trying to qualify.

‘After suffering a torn hamstring tendon in February and undergoing surgery, I have done everything I can to get back to health.’

Mucci has overcome a major injury and is now on the starting line in Paris

After being narrowly eliminated from the Tokyo Olympics, Mucci made great strides in the 100m hurdles.

In 2022, she was selected for the Commonwealth Games team and competed in the World Championships. Despite facing setbacks, she persevered.

Her 2023 season was her best yet, with Mucci posting the six fastest times ever and earning a spot on her seventh national team.

However, in early 2024, she suffered a hamstring injury that required surgery.

Despite this setback, Mucci recovered successfully and returned to form, posting impressive times in subsequent races.