Teen Sprinter Gout Gout Sets Australian Record in 200m at Golden Spike Debut

Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout made a stunning senior international debut, breaking the national 200m record at the Golden Spike meet in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

The 17-year-old powered to victory in 20.02 seconds, setting a new personal best and surpassing his own national record—previously set at 20.04 in December. It was his first senior race on European soil.

“I feel good—new personal best, new national record, in my first European race,” Gout said after the win. “I don’t feel pressure. As soon as I step on the track, it’s just me doing my favorite thing: running. Nothing stops me from doing that.”

Portuguese-based Cuban Reynier Mena, who had won the last two Diamond League 200m races, settled for second, while Britain’s Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake finished third with a season-best 20.60 seconds.

Often likened to sprinting legend Usain Bolt, Gout’s performance in Ostrava eclipsed Bolt’s own debut at the same meet in 2006, when the Jamaican ran 20.28. However, Gout is still chasing a legal sub-20-second run—Bolt dipped below that mark at 17, clocking 19.93 in Bermuda.

Gout’s rise has been meteoric. He holds multiple Australian youth records and dominated junior competitions before stepping up to the senior ranks. In 2023, he won the under-20 national 100m title and claimed silver in the 200m at the World Under-20 Championships in Lima.

Following a double victory in the 200m and 400m at the 2024 GPS Track & Field Championships in Queensland, Gout turned professional and signed a sponsorship deal with Adidas.

He is now preparing for the World Championships in Tokyo this September and will continue his season at the Monaco Diamond League meet on July 11 at Stade Louis II.