USA Olympian Yared Nuguse Officially Comes Out and Introduces Boyfriend
Team USA Olympian Yared Nuguse is sharing a significant glimpse into his romantic life.
The 25-year-old athlete officially unveiled his relationship with his boyfriend, Julian Falco, on Instagram. “Introducing my boyfriend, Julian. Can’t believe we’ve already celebrated one year together, my love 
,” he wrote in a caption accompanying a slideshow of pictures of the couple on Friday, March 28. He humorously added, “Don’t act so surprised.”
The collection of photos showcased memorable moments from their year together, including cheerful selfies, karaoke nights, intimate dinners, and a charming pose beneath a heart-shaped arch. A highlight from the post was a humorous video of Falco animatedly moving his arms while engaging in a VR video game.
Many of Nuguse’s fellow athletes expressed their joy for the couple in the comments section. “Aww, I love this news 
happy anniversary!!” Canadian long-distance runner Gabriela DeBues-Stafford commented. Team USA track-and-field Paralympian Hunter Woodhall left two red heart emojis, while Team USA middle-distance runner Nikki Hiltz added, “Obsessed 
.”
This post marked the first appearance of Nuguse’s boyfriend on his Instagram, while Falco has set his account to private. According to his LinkedIn profile, Falco graduated with a degree in neuroscience from The University of Texas at Austin in 2022.
Nuguse, who previously ran cross country at Dupont Manual High School in Louisville, Kentucky, later became a student athlete at the University of Notre Dame. While competing for the school’s cross country and track teams, he completed his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry in 2021 and a master’s degree in management the following year.
During his time at Notre Dame, Nuguse garnered several accolades, including the 2021 ACC Men’s Outdoor Track Performer of the Year, ACC Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Scholar Athlete, and multiple national championship titles, according to the school’s website.
Known as “The Goose,” Nuguse qualified for the Tokyo Olympics following his graduation, but had to withdraw from the Games due to a quad strain.
“It was improving daily, and I believed I would be fine by race day, but I was still struggling to run fast prior to the event,” he shared on Instagram in August 2021. “Being honest with myself after warming up, I realized I couldn’t finish the race. It wasn’t worth worsening my injury when I knew I wouldn’t succeed, which was incredibly difficult to accept.”
Fortunately, he made a triumphant return, traveling to Paris to compete in the 2024 Olympics, where he secured a bronze medal in the men’s 1,500-meter race.
“Thank you to everyone who supported me, even if you didn’t know me before this,” he expressed in a August 2024 Instagram post, sharing moments from his Paris Olympics experience. “I know I’m a bit goofy, and probably not your typical medalist, but your continued support means the world to me.”
Among those he acknowledged, he playfully thanked Taylor Swift “for the inspiration on the amazing shirts.” His family and friends wore custom t-shirts inspired by Swift’s Eras Tour merchandise, featuring images of Nuguse in place of the Grammy winner.
