At just 16 years old, Australian sprinter Gout Gout has been making headlines in the world of track and field with his blistering speed. He first caught global attention at the age of 14 when he shattered Usain Bolt’s U20 record, running 200 meters in 20.60 seconds. However, he didn’t stop there. In late 2024, he improved his time even further, clocking an impressive 20.29 seconds at the All Schools Queensland Competition in early November. This was not only a new personal best but also the fastest 200-meter time recorded in Australia in the past 31 years.
With such achievements, Gout Gout has quickly become a rising star, earning international recognition and securing a sponsorship deal with Adidas. Many have begun comparing him to legendary sprinter Usain Bolt, labeling him as the sport’s next big sensation. However, the young athlete himself has mixed feelings about these comparisons.
In a recent episode of the Beyond The Records podcast, hosted by Noah Lyles and Grant Holloway, Gout Gout was asked about the constant parallels drawn between him and Bolt. Holloway, who has faced similar comparisons in the hurdles event, spoke about being likened to legends such as Allen Johnson, David Oliver, and Dayron Robles. While he appreciated the recognition, he emphasized the importance of building his own legacy.
Gout Gout resonated with this sentiment, stating that while it was an honor to be mentioned alongside Bolt, he ultimately wants to establish his own name in the sport. “I mean, exactly what you said—I’m trying to be the next Gout Gout,” he expressed. His goal is to reach a level where future young sprinters are inspired by his name just as much as Bolt’s.
Despite his confidence, the intense focus on him at such a young age has raised concerns. His manager, James Templeton, has been particularly cautious about the media frenzy surrounding his prodigious talent. Templeton has intentionally avoided encouraging comparisons with Usain Bolt, believing that such expectations could place unnecessary pressure on Gout Gout.
In an interview with ABC News in November 2024, Templeton explained that he has been actively shielding the teenager from excessive media attention. “I’ve avoided using the ‘UB’ (Usain Bolt) comparison. I think that’s unfair to a young athlete,” he said. To help Gout Gout maintain a sense of normalcy, Templeton has turned down numerous interview requests from Australian media over the past 18 months. “We just want to allow him to be a normal kid at school. We don’t want him to have any distraction,” he added.
As Gout Gout’s career progresses, the excitement surrounding his potential is only expected to grow. Whether he ultimately follows in Bolt’s footsteps or carves out his own path to greatness remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that he possesses the talent, determination, and mindset to leave a lasting impact on the world of sprinting.