Australian tennager Gout Gout has earned numerous comparisons to Usain Bolt during his young career
Gout Gout is proving to be unfazed by constant comparisons to Usain Bolt, including from the man himself. The 17-year-old has been widely tipped to become the world’s next sprinting superstar but is taking the pressure in his stride.
The teenage sensation has already smashed numerous records, despite only recently leaving school. Last year, Gout captured headlines and fans’ imaginations after surpassing Bolt’s Under-16 200m world record at the Australian All Schools Championships, running 20.04 seconds.
This feat saw the young prospect also claim the Australian national record, which had been held by Peter Norman since the 1968 Olympics. In June, Gout improved his personal best to 20.02 seconds.
Taking the next step in his career, Gout was the youngest 200m competitor at the World Championships in September, where he reached the semi-finals. Gout has openly spoken about his target of winning Olympic gold, with his eyes fixed on the 2032 Games in Brisbane, and sees no issue with being considered the next Usain Bolt.
“It’s definitely inspiring, because to know that the rest of the world thinks and believes I’m looking like him and could potentially be him is something that can only fill me with confidence,” Gout told the Daily Mail. “And to be compared to the greatest athlete I’ve ever seen technically is amazing.
READ MORE: Keely Hodgkinson’s rival lifts lid on how Team GB star actually treats her opponentsREAD MORE: London 2012 legend now does something completely different after Team GB heroics
“Hopefully, I can be up to their level and up to the point where we’re being compared because of titles, records, gold medals and stuff like that. My ultimate dream is Olympic gold, hopefully in the 200m in Los Angeles in 2028 and then on to Brisbane in 2032. So it’s pretty cool, for sure.
“I try and study other sprinters, not just Bolt. I definitely look at the way they move and the way they present themselves. Especially being on the biggest stage in the world, you’ve got to control your nerves, control everything about it.
“So I think Bolt’s definitely a prime example because he doesn’t really let anything get to him. He’s a really chill guy. He’s definitely up there in my all-time greats.”
Gout added: “In track and field, I’d mention Noah Lyles, obviously. He’s a good mate.’”
The Australian starlet has built up a positive relationship with reigning 100m Olympic champion Lyles. The American sprinter has helped mentor Gout as he navigates the next steps of his career.
However, Lyles is not the only star name offering Gout guidance. Eight-time Olympic gold winner Bolt addressed the comparisons between himself and Gout during the recent World Championships and shared what advice he had passed on.
“The talent he’s showing is the same kind of talent I had when I was young,’ Bolt said. “And this is why I’m trying to advise him to be very careful in transition because I had a tough time transitioning into the senior level.”
The combination of Gout’s athletic prowess and support from big names has led to lucrative deals. He signed a contract with Adidas last year, worth a reported £3million, which runs until the 2032 Olympics. While that could be intimidating for a teenager, Gout remains focused on his ultimate goals.
Speaking to FOX Sports Australia in May, he said: “The limit is just obviously winning Olympics and winning World Championships, and honestly dominating like Bolt did. I think that’s a limit that’s reachable for me.”