Australian sprinting prodigy Gout Gout has made history once again, breaking the nation’s oldest remaining athletics record, just one day after clocking the fourth-fastest under-18 100m time in history.
On Saturday, the 16-year-old star shattered Peter Norman’s iconic 200m national record, running an incredible 20.04 seconds in the final at the All-Schools Championships in Brisbane.
Norman’s 200m record of 20.06 seconds had stood for 56 years, since the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. It was the oldest surviving Australian athletics record, but now, Gout Gout’s time has rewritten history.
“These are adult times and me, just a kid – I’m running them. It’s going to be a great future for sure,” Gout said, reflecting on his momentous achievement.
The race itself was a thrilling contest. Gout’s rivals stayed close to him for most of the first half, but it was on the straight that he truly showed his remarkable speed. Hitting his top velocity as he entered the final stretch, Gout pulled away from the pack, leaving the competition trailing in his wake.
For Gout, the result was both surprising and fulfilling. “I didn’t expect it to be that fast, but I guess I ran Australia’s fastest ever time in the 200,” he said. “I have been chasing that record but I didn’t think it would come this year. I thought maybe next year or the year after that.”
The teen’s record-breaking performance in the 200m makes him the fastest 16-year-old in history over the distance. Gout is now also the second-fastest under-18 sprinter ever in the 200m, and his time is officially recognized as a new Oceania 200m record, according to World Athletics.
This latest milestone adds to a growing list of achievements for Gout, who is increasingly being compared to sprinting legends like Usain Bolt. The young Australian first caught attention in 2022 when, at just 14 years old, he ran the 100m in 10.57 seconds.
His performances have continued to rise, with the 16-year-old setting a new personal best in the 200m at the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships in August. Gout clocked 20.60 seconds, beating a 15-year-old Bolt’s record by 0.01 seconds.
“My video went viral right before World Juniors and that already created pressure,” Gout explained. “But you know what they say, pressure makes diamonds, and I guess I’m better than a diamond right now.”
Despite the hype surrounding his rise, Gout remains focused on steady progress. “We just take little steps; beat my PB by 0.01 and 0.02. Chasing that big sub-20, it will be great for sure but I’m not expecting too much.”
He added, “Right now, I can’t really process it. I guess tonight when I go to bed and think about it, it will be pretty crazy for sure. I have always done what I said I will do. If I said something, it’s on my mind and I am pursuing it until I do it.”
Gout’s breakthrough also marks the end of an era for the Australian sprinting record book. Norman’s 200m time had stood as the nation’s benchmark since the 1968 Olympics, where he earned a surprise silver medal.
However, the race at the Mexico City Games is perhaps more famous for the political protest that followed. After Tommie Smith and John Carlos won gold and bronze in the event, they raised their fists in a Black Power salute on the podium.
In a powerful act of solidarity, Norman wore a badge reading “Olympic Project for Human Rights,” showing his opposition to racism and segregation in sports.
While Gout’s achievement may not carry the same political weight, it is still a monumental moment for Australian athletics. His victory represents the changing of the guard, with the nation’s long-held sprinting record finally being eclipsed by a new generation.
Looking forward, Gout is setting his sights on even more ambitious goals. “I’m not expecting too much, but chasing that big sub-20 will be great,” he said. The teenager, who turns 17 later this month, continues to show remarkable maturity and focus for his age.
