Gout Gout's brilliant performances on the track have continued to earn him unsolicited Usain Bolt comparisons that American sprint legend Justin Gatlin is weary of.
American sprint legend Justin Gatlin has weighed in on the growing comparisons between Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout and the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt.
The former 100m world champion believes such comparisons could hinder the Aussie teenager’s development and prevent him from reaching his full potential.
Gatlin urged the track and field community to avoid placing premature labels on young athletes.
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Gatlin's verdict on Gout Gout vs Usain Bolt
Speaking on a recent episode of The Ready Set Go podcast, he emphasized the mental pressure that such comparisons can bring.
“Stop putting labels on these young athletes when it’s not time for them to have these labels. Let Gout Gout be Gout Gout,” said Gatlin.
“He doesn’t need to be the next Usain Bolt or anybody else.”
Gatlin, who shared the track with Bolt for much of his career, stressed the importance of allowing the 16-year-old to grow without the weight of unrealistic expectations.
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“Let him go out there and run. Because when the pressure’s on, the first thing he’ll think is: ‘What’s the media going to say about me?’ Then he has to sit there and rehearse something that sounds politically correct, something that doesn’t make him sound weak. That’s the mindset he’s forced into under pressure,” Gatlin explained.
“So take the pressure off this man. Let him have fun. Because trust me — the longer his career goes, the more competition and the more pressure he’ll face. He’s a young kid right now. He runs great times. He’s exciting. Let him enjoy it. Let him entertain us.”
Gout Gout vs Usain Bolt Comparisons
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Gout Gout has emerged as a sprinting prodigy, dazzling the athletics world with his record-breaking performances.
His rise has drawn comparisons to Jamaican legend Usain Bolt, who still holds the world records in the 100m and 200m.
Although Bolt’s senior records remain untouched, Gout shattered his U-16 200m mark at the 2024 Australian School Games.
The 16-year-old clocked a blistering 20.04 seconds, setting a new national record and breaking the previous mark held by Peter Norman.
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More recently, Gout Gout made headlines again by becoming the first Australian schoolboy to break the 10-second barrier in the 100m.
He ran an electrifying 9.99 seconds on April 10 at the Australian All School Championships, a performance that signals his readiness to challenge elite sprinters like Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson.