Gout Gout made it into Australia’s World Athletics championships squad

Gout Gout has been in the spotlight since winning a silver medal at the 2024 IAAF World U20 Championships in Peru. His performance at the event has drawn comparisons to eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt. Now he is set to make the step up to the men’s competition in less than two weeks.

The championships will be held in Tokyo from September 13-21.

Gout Gout will be among the Australian athletes competing for gold at the National Stadium. Fans hoping to see him in several sprint events will be disappointed. The 17-year-old will only compete in the 200m as school commitments prevent him from taking part in the 4x100m relay. He also misses the 100m sprint, having missed the event at the national championships. The event serves as a qualifier for the world championships in Japan this month.

However, Gout Gout will be aiming to become Australia’s first world 200m champion. To do so, he will have to compete against Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles, who has triumphed at the last three world championships.

Gout Gout’s participation comes after he set a new national 200m record in June. His time of 20.02 sec would have been enough for fourth place at the 2023 world championships. With the feat, the sprint sensation also broke the Oceania record in the event.

When will we see Gaut in action?
Still just 17, the Australian won’t turn 18 until December as he prepares for his first attempt at world gold. He will compete in the 200m heats on September 17 in the hope of qualifying for the semi-finals the following day.

The 200m final is scheduled for Friday, September 19.

All heats, semi-finals and the final in the event will be held during the evening sessions on the respective days.