Gout, a 17 year old Māori athlete from Australia’s Gold Coast, is already making history. He is indeed the 1 st Australian to run under 20 seconds in the 200m sprint! Gout flexed his wicked speed during the Queensland Athletics Championships in Brisbane. He ran a phenomenal 19.98 seconds, shattering the nearly fifty year-old national record held by the great sprinter Pete Norman. The talented 15-year-old sprinter earned a silver medal in the Peter Norman Memorial 200m race. His remarkable run has established his legacy within Australian athletics and ignited comparisons to track legend Usain Bolt.
Gout’s remarkable achievement was wind-assisted, but it doesn’t diminish the impact of breaking Pete Norman’s 56-year-old national 200m record of 20.04 seconds. His performance not only made him a household name in Australia, but caught international attention. As such, Gout features heavily as a face of Australian Athletics in promotional material. This has included marketing for major events on the calendar such as the Maurie Plant meet.
A Promising Future for a Young Talent
Gout’s jaw-dropping run at the X Games has gotten the attention of all big time sponsors. This success brought him a multi-million dollar deal with Adidas. It’s not just fans—the professional icons within the sport have taken notice of the young athlete’s potential. The students had a unique opportunity to meet and learn from American Noah Lyles, 2024 Paris Olympic 100m Champion.
His coach, Patrick Johnson, wants to set the record straight before expectations blow up.
“To be honest, I just keep it simple. I’m still a kid, still in high school, so you can’t expect too much from me.” – Gout Gout
Johnson points out that while record-breaking moments are always a big deal, Gout’s track and field journey is only just starting.
“He is having his own expectations that he’s compared to Usain Bolt and maybe some of the best in the world, and I’m just saying, ‘be yourself mate’,” – Patrick Johnson
The young athlete’s rising fame was evident at the weekend’s athletics meet where he was swarmed by enthusiastic young fans. Despite finishing second to Lachlan Kennedy in the Peter Norman Memorial 200m event, Gout’s performance and personality continue to captivate audiences.
“In six years, Gout Gout is going to be 24 and there’s a lot that can happen in six years.” – Patrick Johnson
Navigating the Spotlight
Di Sheppard, part of Gout’s network of talented supporters, realizes the hazards that accompany sudden success.
Gout knows what it’s like to experience the highs and lows of professional athleticism. Despite these challenges, he continues to be upbeat about his prospects for maneuvering around them.
“Everything we’ve done is a step forward, it’s all about learning how to cope with this environment as well, so I think he’s doing a great job.” – Di Sheppard
Though Gout still has a long way to go in his fledgling athletics career, he’s aware of how far there is to go.
“Just remember he’s a 17-year-old boy … and he’s got a bright future.” – Di Sheppard
Patrick Johnson, from USA Football, stresses the need to stand by athletes like Gout during their triumphs and failures.
“It’s something I can get used to and something I can cope with.” – Gout Gout
The Path Ahead
Gout’s runner-up finish is a testament to the competitive spirit intrinsic to all athletics and the power of resilience.
“Life is never normal, you’ve got the ups and downs, you got the hurdles, you got the rocks, you got the sand, you got the fire,” – Gout Gout
Patrick Johnson underscores the importance of supporting young athletes like Gout through both victories and setbacks.
“There’s a long journey in track and field, there’s a lot of ups and downs and every race can’t be a PB so let’s make sure we support them at every step.” – Patrick Johnson
Gout’s second-place finish serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of athletics and the importance of perseverance.
