Aussie Teen Sprint Star Gout Gout Hailed as the ‘Next Big Thing’ by Olympic Champion Letsile Tebogo

At just 17 years of age, Australian sprinter Gout Gout has already captured the attention of the athletic world, with Olympic 200-metre champion Letsile Tebogo suggesting that this emerging star could become one of the greatest athletes of all time.

Considered one of the fastest young talents globally, Gout has delivered an impressive series of performances that have sparked intrigue among elite competitors.

Sprinting icon Usain Bolt previously remarked that Gout “resembles a younger version of me,” and now Tebogo, who made headlines by defeating Noah Lyles to secure the 200m gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has shared his thoughts.

“His running technique is exceptional,” Tebogo told reporters ahead of the Maurie Plant Meet taking place in Melbourne this week.

“I truly believe he’ll be the next big star emerging from this continent.”

Gout first burst onto the scene in 2022, clocking a remarkable 10.57 seconds in the 100m as a 14-year-old. However, it was last year when he caught even more attention by running the 200m in 20.60 seconds at the World Athletics U20 Championships—just 0.01 seconds quicker than a 15-year-old Bolt in 2002.

This season, he has maintained his impressive performance by running a world-leading time of 20.05 seconds for the 200m earlier in the month—only 0.01 seconds shy of his own Australian record set in December.

He went on to become the first Australian ever to break the 20-second barrier, finishing in 19.98 seconds during the under-20 200m final at the Queensland State Championships. Unfortunately, this record won’t be official due to illegal wind conditions (+3.6m/s).

Gout is set to compete again in the 200m event in Melbourne this week, where he will go up against Australia’s current fastest man, Lachie Kennedy.

However, Gout will not face Tebogo, who plans to compete in the 400m event instead.

Tebogo remarked, “He has the potential to be one of the best and enter the history books. If he maintains the drive he currently possesses, the sky’s the limit for him.”

He also advised Gout and his team to proceed with caution, emphasising the importance of not rushing into senior competitions.

“The best piece of advice I received was that Rome wasn’t built in a day,” the 21-year-old added. “I didn’t understand this at first. They should introduce him gradually into senior competitions because, among seniors, everyone is eager for the wins, the medals, and the rewards.”