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Australian teen sensation Gout Gout is tipped for greatness in sprints and measures are already in place to see the 16-year-old follow in the footsteps of Usain Bolt.
Athletics Australia general manager of high performance Andrew Faichney has said Gout Gout's performances have been phenomenal but there are no immediate pressures.
Gout broke the Australian 200m record on December 7 in running 20.04s, eclipsing the previous mark that had stood for more than half a century. His achievement led to comparison with Usain Bolt and even the Jamaican sprints legend said Gout was 'Like a young me' but Athletics Australia is keen to 'temper' the rise of the teenage sensation.
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15:16 - 10.12.2024
'This is strange' - Usain Bolt on the harsh realities he faced in formative years amid comparison with talent freak Gout Gout
Bolt was a world beater at 15 but losing several meets made the Jamaican sprint legend realize the herculean task he had to face head-on on his way to the top.
Fainchney told The Guardian: “He’s a great talent and is being nurtured well by his coach Di Sheppard as well as our high performance system. The world is his oyster and we look forward to seeing what he can do over the next few years.”
Gout’s path towards sprinting’s summit will continue as he joins American Noah Lyles next month during a training camp in Florida organised by Adidas, which sponsors both athletes.
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20:57 - 14.12.2024
'It's not acceptable' - Gout Gout’s father lays out truth about ‘next Usain Bolt’s' name
Controversy continues to surround the real identity of Australian wonderkid Gout Gout and his father has come out strongly to reveal the mistake that led to the name he bears.
Interest in Gout has exploded since his performances at the All-Schools Championships in Brisbane, and his father Bona was door-stopped by Channel Seven, prompting reports that Gout would be changing his name. But the teenager is comfortable with his moniker as it is and his team, including Sheppard and manager James Templeton, remain committed to plans for the summer.
Gout is in Melbourne and will return to Brisbane for Christmas with family before flying out to the Florida camp. His next competition is planned to be the Queensland state titles in March, before an appearance at Athletics Australia’s signature event, the Maurie Plant Meet at Lakeside Stadium in Melbourne on March 29.
Gout was only signed by Adidas in October in a strategy by the shoe manufacturer similar to the approach it took with Lyles. The American was signed while still in high school and extended the arrangement this year in a deal his management described as the richest contract in the sport of track and field since the retirement of Usain Bolt.
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