Brisbane teen Gout Gout breaks Australia’s longest standing athletics record

At just 16-years-old, Ipswich teen Gout Gout has done the unthinkable. 

In perfect conditions on his home track in Brisbane, the World Under 20 Championships medallist has blazed all the way into the history books, breaking Peter Norman’s 200m national record at the 2024 Chemist Warehouse Australian All Schools Athletics Championships.

The global sensation clocked an extraordinary 20.04 seconds (+1.5m/s), eclipsing the time of 20.06 set by Norman at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics - a record that has stood unchallenged for 56 years.

“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.

“I didn’t expect it to be that fast, but I guess I ran Australia’s fastest ever time in the 200. 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.”

Competing in front of a packed crowd at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, Gout delivered the performance of a lifetime, displaying composure, speed and remarkable maturity for his age as he powered through the bend and stormed down the straight to claim not only the Under 18 school title, but ink his name as a legend of the sport.

Coached by Diane Sheppard, Gout now holds the second fastest time in global history for athletes under the age of 18, overtaking Usain Bolt’s 20.13 and finishing behind Erriyon Knighton’s (USA) time of 19.84 from 2021.

“My video went viral right before World Juniors and that already created pressure. But you know what they say, pressure makes diamonds and I guess I’m better than a diamond right now,” Gout said.

“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.”

Peter Norman’s record was more than just a benchmark in Australian athletics; it symbolised resilience and excellence, with Norman famously winning silver in Mexico City while making a powerful stand for human rights.

Gout’s achievement adds a new chapter to that legacy, showcasing the bright future of Australian sprinting. Speaking after the race, Gout was reflective yet humble:

“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,” Gout said.

“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.” 

Day Two of the Chemist Warehouse Australian All Schools Athletics Championships continues now at QSAC, with Australians able to watch live and free on Athletics Australia’s YouTube channel.

The Championships are supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland and the Brisbane Economic Development Agency.

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted 7/12/2024