Teen Sensation Makes History

At just 17 years old, Gout Gout has already etched his name into the annals of Australian athletics. Competing in his first senior international race at the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava, Gout clocked an impressive 20.02 seconds in the men's 200m, setting a new Australian record. This remarkable achievement came in a highly anticipated European meet held in the Czech Republic.

A Race to Remember

Gout outpaced Reynier Mena, a seasoned sprinter from Cuba based in Portugal, who had to settle for second place despite winning the last two Diamond League 200m races. Britain's Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake finished third with a season's best of 20.60 seconds.

Gout's Perspective

"I feel good. New personal best, new national record in my first European race," Gout shared. "I don't feel any pressure. Because as soon as I step out on that track, it's just me by myself and what I've got to do - my favourite thing, and that's to run. I just go out there and run and nothing stops me from doing that. (I need to) Get some more races in me and (the 20-second barrier) will drop for sure."

Comparisons to a Legend

Gout has drawn comparisons to the legendary Usain Bolt, the eight-time Olympic gold medallist. Notably, Gout's 200m time in Ostrava was better than Bolt's 20.28 seconds in his first Golden Spike meet back in 2006. However, Gout is yet to break the 20-second barrier, a feat Bolt achieved four months before his 18th birthday.

Rising Through the Ranks

Gout's previous personal best was 20.04 seconds, which he ran last December to break Olympic silver medallist Peter Norman's long-standing Australian record. After dominating youth meetings, Gout has now stepped up to the senior level. He holds the Australian under-16 records in both the 100m and 200m and won the national under-20 100m title last year. He also secured a 200m silver medal at the World Under-20 Championships in Lima.

Professional Journey

Following his victories in the 200m and 400m at the 2024 GPS Track & Field Championships in Queensland, Gout turned professional and signed a sponsorship deal with Adidas. He is now preparing for the World Championships in Tokyo by competing at the Monaco Diamond League meet on 11 July.

Other Highlights from Golden Spike

The Golden Spike meeting also saw other notable performances. Pole vault world record holder Armand Duplantis claimed victory with a clearance of 6.13m, while Kenyan teenager Phanuel Koech set a meeting record in the men's 1500m with a time of three minutes 29.05 seconds. South Africa's Prudence Sekgodiso won the women's 800m, and Bahrain's Salwa Eid Naser broke a 42-year course record in the women's 400m.

Looking Ahead

Gout Gout's journey is just beginning, and the athletics world is watching closely as this young prodigy continues to break barriers and set new standards in sprinting.