Teen sprint sensation Gout Gout to lead Australia’s world juniors squad in Eugene
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Star sprinter Gout Gout has already set an international record faster than Usain Bolt could produce at the Under-20 level, and now he'll get a chance to lower it when he leads Australia's 75-strong squad for world juniors in Eugene, Oregon in August. “I’m really excited to get out there at World Athletics Under 20s,” Gout said in a statement Tuesday announcing Australia's squad for the Aug. 5-9 championships.
“It’s a great stadium and place to run fast, and I feel confident I’ll be ready to step up and make Australia proud. ” Gout will compete in the 200 meters — he already holds the under-20 world record in that event — and he'll also be part of Australia's 4x400 relay team. The 18-year-old sprint sensation was aiming to break the 10-second barrier legally for the 100 meters at the Australian junior titles last month, but he finished just outside the mark.
He said his sole reason for racing was just to confirm his spot for the world juniors. “Obviously, I didn’t have the best start, but I came out for the W (win) pretty much,” Gout said at the time. “I was waving to my family, fans and a couple of friends ...
the more of a show, the more people who are going to come and watch. ” The national junior championships were held a week after Gout set the under-20 world record time in the 200 that was faster than Bolt’s best at that age. He won the Australian open title in 19.
67 seconds on April 12, taking 0. 02 off Erriyon Knighton’s world under-20 mark of 19. 69 set at Eugene, Oregon in 2022.