Australian sprinter Gout Gout has opened up on why he was hesitant to take to the track for his 200m record-breaking run.
Australian teenage sprinting sensation Gout Gout has revealed why he was hesitant to take part in his record-breaking 200m run that saw him shatter a longstanding national mark.
Gout, who competes in both the 100m and 200m events, made history at the All-Schools Championships in Brisbane, Australia, on December 7, 2024.
Despite an impressive 100m performance earlier at the same venue, Gout was initially reluctant to participate in the 200m final.
He reflected on his hesitation in a recent episode of the Beyond the Records podcast with Noah Lyles and Grant Holloway.
Noah Lyles has shared invaluable advise with Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout on handling pressure and criticism.
Gout shared his inner conflict leading up to the race, stating that he was considering pulling out altogether.
“I wake up, still don’t want to run, get changed, head to the track,” he recalled.
“My heats are at 12 or 1. I’m sitting in my tent, listening to music. I go warm up, feeling pretty good. I do a box out, still feeling good, don’t want to run.”
However, as he stepped onto the track for the final, the atmosphere shifted as he got into the racing mood.
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“The crowd is packed, and I think, ‘I gotta show up for real,’” he said.
The race began with a false start due to a technical issue, further testing his patience. But when the gun finally went off, Gout launched into a blistering sprint.
“I catch up to Lane 8 and 9 by 50 meters, I’m flying. I already know the last 100 is going to be even faster. I’m coming around the bend, the crowd is going crazy, and in my mind, I’m running like I’m running for my life,” he described.
By the final 50 meters, he knew he was on pace for something special. “I glance at the clock at 10 meters left, it says 18, 19. I push. I get to 5 meters and it’s 19.5, I cross the line, it says 20.04. I’m like, ‘Damn, that’s fast.’”
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Gout’s final time of 20.04 seconds not only set a new personal best but also shattered Australia’s national record, previously held by Peter Norman at 20.06 seconds.
“Getting the national record at 16 was a great achievement. You don’t really know how to feel. You’re happy, but also excited because you know you can run even faster.”
What makes his feat even more remarkable is that just hours before the race, Gout was seriously considering withdrawing.
“That’s just being an athlete—some races you don’t want to run, some you feel good and still don’t perform well,” he noted.
With his newfound confidence and a national record to his name, Gout is firmly on the radar as one of Australia’s brightest sprinting talents. The world will be watching to see what the young star accomplishes next.
