A Teen Sprint Sensation Makes History
At the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre, Gout Gout, a 18-year-old sprint sensation, was soaking in the adoration of the crowd. With a chest-beating roar, he declared, “I… AM… HIM!” – a statement that left no doubt about his confidence. In simpler terms, he was asserting, “I am the man,” or “I am that guy,” or “I am the real deal.”
His performance on a sunbathed Sunday afternoon at the Australian athletics championships – a blistering 19.67-second 200 metres – made it impossible to question his claim. His coach, Di Sheppard, who first spotted him hurtling across the playground in year seven at Ipswich Grammar School, had always believed in his potential. She had even woken up that morning thinking he might finally break the 20-second barrier.
Prior to the race, Gout had run 19.84 seconds but under illegal wind conditions. This time, however, the conditions were perfect. The man of the moment, barely a man himself after graduating from year 12 in November and turning 18 in December, had jotted down 19.75 in his Notes app before the final. On the newly re-laid, bright blue track, he was ready to turn vision into reality.
The result was staggering. He stopped the clock at 19.67, not only obliterating his national record of 20.02 and Usain Bolt’s teenage best of 19.93, but also Erriyon Knighton’s world under-20 record of 19.69. The initial time shown on the screen was 19.68, which sent the crowd into a collective gasp. But as the clock rounded down to 19.67, the history books were forever changed.
Sheppard watched the race from beside the commentary box, initially in shock and hysteria. She beat her knuckles against the glass, desperate for confirmation that the run was wind-legal. When she checked the wind gauge, she saw that the +1.7 reading was within the allowed +2.0 limit. The moment was confirmed, and the record was set.
As Sheppard rushed down the grandstand, Gout’s manager, James Templeton, bounded across the blue track and into Gout’s arms, celebrating like an NBA coach after a buzzer-beater. Just beyond the finish line was a temporary white-picket fence, where kids had been clamouring all weekend for their favorite athletes. Gout, however, was the biggest hit of them all.
Among the roars and cheers, a beautiful moment unfolded. Gout shared a long, tight hug with his mother, Monica, before his sisters lined up to embrace their world-famous brother. The Gout family consists of seven children: Bol Gout, Achan Gout, Adit Gout, Atong Gout, Gout Gout, Achel Gout, and Mawien Gout.
Gout, now a $6 million Adidas signing at just 16, bought a new house for his family this year. They recently moved into their new Ipswich home, just a short drive from their previous residence. Gout’s parents fled South Sudan for Australia via Egypt, bringing their remarkable athletic gift into the world on December 29, 2007.
Amid the fanfare, Gout strutted over to the clock and leaned on it, striking a cool pose for the cameras. “He’s got a touch of Hollywood about him,” said Templeton. “You’ve got to have that as a sprinter. It’s perfect.”
As Templeton chatted with reporters, legendary commentator Bruce McAvaney was nearby, mollycoddling with Gout’s coach. “Are you too all right?” Templeton joked. “If I wasn’t married to Annie I might propose!” McAvaney gushed.
There was another priceless moment during Gout’s press conference. “Can I get some water?!” he exclaimed, swinging a look behind him, prompting roars of laughter.
How is Gout handling the astronomical hype? “At the end of the day, it’s only me that steps out on that track,” he said. “I just think about myself, my training, and the people in my group.” There’s no sign of him being overwhelmed.
Templeton added, “We’re just bringing him along in the way we have in the last two years. Nothing changes. It’s not that difficult. Di is grounded, Gout’s grounded. He lives at home with his family, goes to training, has his same friends. It’s not that difficult. There’s a lot on social media, but he doesn’t become obsessed by it. It’s all OK.”
Reflecting on the chaos, Gout summed it up perfectly. “It was absolutely insane,” he said, his two gold chains with crosses hanging from his neck. Absolutely insane – a fitting way to describe the journey of the fastest teenager the world has ever seen.
