“I’m Targeting That Position”: Gout Gout’s Candid Discussion with Olympic Gold Medallist

Gout Gout, a 17-year-old schoolboy from Ipswich in Queensland, is taking bold strides in the athletics world. In contrast, Noah Lyles, a decade older, is not only an Olympic and world champion but also a sensational figure hailing from the bustling state of Florida, USA.

Undeterred by his accolades, Gout confidently met Lyles’ gaze and announced his intentions to claim his crown.

“I’m here to show you what I’m made of. I plan to make a significant impact,” Gout declared, with just seven months to go until the world athletics championships in Tokyo.

Adorned with gleaming jewellery and stylish diamond studs, Gout made a striking entrance into a studio in Florida for an episode of the Beyond the Records podcast, co-hosted by Lyles along with fellow American athletes Grant Holloway and Rai Benjamin.

Back in January, Gout had an amazing opportunity to train for two weeks in Clermont, Florida, alongside Lyles and his esteemed coach, Lance Brauman.

This training camp was arranged through Adidas, the renowned sportswear brand that sponsors both athletes, aided by the longstanding friendship between Gout’s manager, James Templeton, and Brauman.

Accompanying Gout during the camp were Templeton, his coach Diane Sheppard, and training partner Jonathan Kasiano.

When Gout proclaimed on the podcast his desire to unseat Lyles, a wide smile broke across Lyles’ face.

“I love hearing this,” Lyles chuckled, pointing playfully at Gout.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to show Noah I’m coming for that position,” Gout added.

“This experience at the world championships is invaluable, but ultimately, I’m aiming for a medal or at least to reach the final and compete closely with Noah.”

Lyles encouraged Gout to vocalise his ambitions boldly.

“I want you to approach me and say, ‘I’m going to take your spot’,” Lyles urged during the podcast, set to be released in full later this week.

“If I hear someone say, ‘Maybe one day…’, it doesn’t cut it. No! It should be today or, if not today, then tomorrow. I’ll be right here, ready for you.”

“Don’t hesitate to share your dreams, shout them from the rooftops. Chase after me.”

Once again, Gout has gained international attention, having clocked an impressive 20.04 seconds in the 200-metre event last December.

This remarkable time not only broke the Australian 200m record previously held by the legendary Peter Norman, who had set a mark of 20.06 at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, but also surpassed the time of 20.13 recorded by the sprinting icon Usain Bolt at the same age of 16.

Gout’s outstanding performance qualified him for the forthcoming world championships, scheduled to take place in Tokyo from September 13-21.

During the same meet in December, at the Australian All Schools Championships in Brisbane, Gout also sped through the 100m sprint, achieving a time of 10.04 seconds, although it was not officially recognised due to a wind advantage.

Last August, he proudly represented Australia at the world under-20 championships in Peru, where he secured a silver medal, just missing out on gold to a South African athlete who was nearly two years his senior.

Come September, Gout will don the green and gold for the first time as a senior athlete at the Tokyo world championships.

He is set to compete next at the Queensland Championships, taking place in Brisbane from March 13-16.