)
A prominent American sprinter has expressed concerns over the premature comparisons of a young athlete to legendary Usain Bolt.
American sprint legend Michael Johnson has often seen promising young talents thrust into the limelight compared to legendary figures before their careers fully unfold.
The latest example is the 16-year-old Australian sprinter Gout Gout, whose recent performances have drawn comparisons to Usain Bolt, arguably the greatest sprinter of all time.
)
18:30 - 03.09.2024
'There's never going to be another Usain Bolt'- American sprint legend dismisses comparisons with current sprint stars
A prominent American sprinter believes no current athlete will surpass Usain Bolt's unique and unmatched track and field legacy
Johnson believes such comparisons, while flattering, can place undue pressure on emerging athletes.
Justin Gatlin, a seasoned competitor who has been on the tracks with legends like Bolt, recently weighed in on the burgeoning hype surrounding the young athlete.
Hosting the Ready Set Go podcast, Gatlin shared his perspective on the challenges and pressures of being compared to a figure as monumental as Bolt.
"When Bolt was a junior, he had the junior world record, which at that point in time, in 2004, because I remember I was there, this dude ran 19, low 9. You put that against these guys today, he is eclipsing them. To say that this person's the next and that person's the next, I feel like we give the microphone to the bandwagoners," said Gatlin.
Gatlin argued that young athletes like Gout Gout should be allowed to develop at their own pace without the burden of living up to the legacies of giants in the sport.
"Stop putting these young athletes on a path that comes with a lot of stress, comes with a lot of pressure. Let them go out there and develop themselves. Let this man figure out how he want to be successful. Let the man do what he want to do," he added.
Gout Gout himself seems to understand the significance of the comparisons while also aspiring to carve out his own niche.
Speaking to Fox Sports, the young sprinter expressed mixed feelings about the constant parallels drawn with Bolt.
"It’s pretty cool because Usain Bolt is arguably the greatest athlete of all time and just being compared to him is a great feeling," Gout said.
He quickly added, "Obviously I’m Gout Gout so I’m trying make a name for myself. If I can get to the level he was that would be a great achievement.”
)
08:30 - 05.09.2024
'They reject Jesus living in me' – Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone on spiritual strength amid athletic triumph
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is one of the greatest athletes balancing profound personal beliefs with unprecedented success in track and field.
Gatlin’s own storied career, decorated with Olympic and World Championships medals, lends credibility to his advice.
After retiring from professional sprinting in 2022, he has shifted focus to mentoring and analyzing track events, offering insights that blend personal experience with professional observation.
His transition from competitor to commentator has been marked by a keen interest in nurturing rather than comparing young talents.
At the U20 World Championships, Gout Gout showcased his burgeoning talent by clocking 20.60s in the 200m, just a hair faster than what Bolt recorded at the same age.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)