At 18, Gout Gout, an Australian sprinter of South Sudanese descent, is already rewriting record books. Earlier this month, the Queensland sensation clocked an astonishing 19.67 seconds in the 200m at the Australian senior championships, breaking Usain Bolt’s under-20 world record set back in 2004. As excitement builds, Bolt has offered measured advice, urging the teen prodigy to stay grounded and surround himself with the right support system amid growing fame. Gout’s next test comes on June 10 in Oslo, where he’ll face reigning Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo of Botswana in his Diamond League debut. Bolt cautions that the transition to elite competition can be challenging, emphasizing resilience and focus. Still, Gout’s rise is injecting fresh energy into athletics at a time the sport seeks renewed global appeal.
CNN
