As Gout Gout’s ascension on the earth of athletics continues apace, the person accountable for guiding him to the highest says he stays the identical “happy-go-lucky” child he has all the time been.
Gout’s supervisor James Templeton had a front-row seat because the 16-year-old dash sensation clocked an unimaginable time of 20.29 on the weekend’s Queensland All Colleges championships and can quickly accompany him on a visit to coach with the quickest man on Earth, Noah Lyles.
However there’s a sure stress that comes with managing such a prodigious expertise, and whereas the reward — and comparisons to the legendary Usain Bolt — have come thick and quick, Templeton has labored exhausting to maintain Gout protected and grounded.
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“I’ve averted utilizing the ‘UB’ comparability. I believe that is unfair to a younger athlete,” Templeton instructed the ABC Sport Day by day podcast, referring to Bolt.
“For 18 months I’ve mainly stated a blanket ‘no’ to each media outlet in Australia that has requested. We simply wish to permit him to be a traditional child in school. We do not need him to have any distraction.
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“It is all going to be forward of him. We would like his life to be as regular as doable for so long as doable.
“However the trendy world with viral movies, regardless of saying no to media he has gone viral and all people is beginning to get to know him.”
Preserving a lid on the hype is tough with an athlete like Gout Gout, and although he refrains from placing a label or a ceiling on his potential, Templeton can see the greatness inside him.
“Having seen plenty of nice younger athletes and sprinters over time, I am firmly satisfied he has that one thing a bit bit particular to kick by means of to the very highest ranges,” he stated.
“It is nice watching him run. He is bought that movement and rhythm which is simply mesmerising. Watching him come off the bend and in that final 50-60 metres, it is very particular.”
Gout Gout first gained the Australian below 18 200m again in 2022. (Athletics Australia)
A lately inked sponsorship cope with Adidas has opened the door for Gout to hitch a coaching camp with Lyles within the US, a chance which he’s understandably enthusiastic about.
“We have now the chance to go to Florida and be part of the coaching group of Noah Lyles and [coach] Lance Brauman. There’s about 16 or 18 high sprinters there.
“We’ll be heading over for 2 or three weeks. That’ll be an important alternative, a beautiful instructional expertise.
“I have never heard from Noah, however he is an important man and I am positive he’ll be joyful to take the youthful man below his wing a bit bit.”
With regards to planning Gout’s future, little or no can be left to likelihood. The 2032 Olympics in Brisbane already sit as a beacon within the distance, however each occasion alongside the way in which will function a vital stepping stone.
A part of meaning making powerful selections — like sitting out the 2026 Commonwealth Video games.
Gout Gout is already eyeing the 2026 World Juniors, on the expense of the Commonwealth Video games. (AAP Picture: Athletics Australia/Andrew Hilditch)
“2026 can be an important yr, and the large occasion for him is the World Juniors,” Templeton stated.
“He broke by means of to an extent this yr and the 2026 model in Eugene, Oregon, and that’ll be a beautiful occasion.
“Sadly it clashes with the Commonwealth Video games — the Commonwealth hasn’t fairly regarded on the calendar in the way in which that we take a look at the calendar — so we will have to choose between the 2.
“At this stage, it seems just like the World Juniors are going to be our precedence, which is bitterly disappointing.
“As Australians, the Commonwealth Video games are one thing that we love and are very excessive profile however, if given a selection between the 2, I believe the World Juniors will win out.
“It is seen because the gateway for younger athletes. World Juniors is huge in our sport.”
There’s a lot already on the plate of a younger man making ready for his faculty exams this week, however Templeton says the viral fame and burgeoning success hasn’t modified Gout a bit.
“He is an excellent younger man. Very joyful, very easygoing, very pleasant. He hasn’t modified in any respect.
“He is grow to be a little bit of a star throughout the faculty neighborhood however he is been fully unaffected by it.
“He is nonetheless the identical joyful go fortunate man he is all the time been.
“There is not any indicators of any famous person complicated. There is not any drama with him. He is only a nice younger man.”
