Gout's remarkable success over the weekend has catapulted him into the spotlight as Australia's most prominent athletics figure, sparking a surge of media and commercial attention. He is set to train alongside Olympic champion Noah Lyles in the US before resuming his Year 12 studies. Both Athletics Australia and Gout's team are focused on his long-term development, aiming to help the 16-year-old, who turns 17 this month, become the best sprinter possible. Gout, a resident of Ipswich, is emerging as a key figure for the Brisbane 2032 Games.
On Saturday, Gout shattered the Australian 200m record with a time of 20.04 seconds, surpassing a mark that had stood for over half a century. His performance would have secured a spot in the final at the Paris Olympics. If he had run that fast at Rio 2016, Gout would have earned a bronze medal behind gold medallist Usain Bolt. Bolt, who holds the 200m world record of 19.19 seconds and won eight Olympic gold medals, has taken notice of Gout, commenting on Instagram that the Australian "looks like young me."
Andrew Faichney, Athletics Australia's general manager of high performance, described Gout's achievements as phenomenal but emphasized there are no immediate pressures. "He's a remarkable talent and is receiving excellent guidance from his coach Di Sheppard and our high performance system," Faichney said. "The future is bright, and we're excited to see what he can achieve in the coming years."
Gout's journey to the top of sprinting will continue next month when he joins Lyles at a training camp in Florida organized by Adidas, which sponsors both athletes. Interest in Gout has skyrocketed since his performances at the All-Schools Championships in Brisbane. His father, Bona, was even approached by Channel Seven, leading to speculation about a name change. However, Gout is content with his current name, and his team, including Sheppard and manager James Templeton, remains focused on their pre-planned summer schedule.
Gout was in Melbourne on Tuesday for a scheduled meet-and-greet with Adidas executives and will return to Brisbane for Christmas with his family before heading to the Florida camp. His next competition is slated for March at the Queensland state titles, followed by the Maurie Plant Meet at Lakeside Stadium in Melbourne on March 29. Gout signed with Adidas in October, a move similar to the brand's strategy with Lyles. The American was signed while still in high school and recently extended his contract, described by his management as "the richest deal in track and field since Bolt's retirement." Citius estimates Bolt earned around US$10 million per year from Puma during his peak.
Adidas' investment in Gout is already paying dividends, with an Instagram post featuring the teenager ranking as the brand's third most-liked post of the year in Australia, trailing only posts featuring Matilda Kyra Cooney-Cross and AFL player Charlie Curnow.
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