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Australia Selects Teen Sprinter Gout Gout for 200m and 4x400 at U20 Worlds

The 18-year-old record holder follows a careful plan with longtime coach Di Sheppard to build toward senior success.

Overview

  • Athletics Australia confirmed Tuesday that Gout Gout will race the 200m and join the 4x400m relay at the World U20 Championships in Eugene in August.
  • Gout chose to skip the July 23–Aug. 2 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow to focus on the junior world meet and his long-term progression toward the Olympics.
  • He set the under-20 world record at 19.67 seconds in the 200m at April’s Australian championships in Sydney, lowering the global junior mark and the national record.
  • Biomechanics data show he starts slower but closes faster than peers, reaching about 25 mph and running a standout final 50 meters, which points to clear gains if his starts improve.
  • He remains with school coach Di Sheppard as profiles and reported sponsorships, including an Adidas deal cited at more than $4 million over eight years, raise expectations for the under-20 standout.