As Gout Gout’s ascension on the planet of athletics continues apace, the person chargeable 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 unbelievable 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 strain 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 onerous to maintain Gout protected and grounded.
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“I’ve averted utilizing the ‘UB’ comparability. I feel that is unfair to a younger athlete,” Templeton informed the ABC Sport Every 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 need to permit him to be a standard child at college. 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 attainable for so long as attainable.
“However the fashionable world with viral movies, regardless of saying no to media he has gone viral and all people is beginning to get to know him.”
Conserving a lid on the hype is troublesome 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 lots of nice younger athletes and sprinters through the years, I am firmly satisfied he has that one thing a bit of bit particular to kick by way of to the very highest ranges,” he stated.
“It is nice watching him run. He is obtained that move 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 received the Australian underneath 18 200m again in 2022. (Athletics Australia)
A just lately inked sponsorship take care of Adidas has opened the door for Gout to affix a coaching camp with Lyles within the US, a possibility which he’s understandably enthusiastic about.
“We now have the chance to go to Florida and be a 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 a fantastic alternative, an exquisite instructional expertise.
“I have never heard from Noah, however he is a fantastic man and I am certain he’ll be comfortable to take the youthful man underneath his wing a bit of bit.”
Relating to planning Gout’s future, little or no shall be left to probability. The 2032 Olympics in Brisbane already sit as a beacon within the distance, however each occasion alongside the best way will function a essential stepping stone.
A part of which means making powerful choices — 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 shall be a fantastic yr, and the massive occasion for him is the World Juniors,” Templeton stated.
“He broke by way of to an extent this yr and the 2026 model in Eugene, Oregon, and that’ll be an exquisite occasion.
“Sadly it clashes with the Commonwealth Video games — the Commonwealth hasn’t fairly seemed on the calendar in the best way that we take a look at the calendar — so we’ll have to choose between the 2.
“At this stage, it seems to be 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 alternative between the 2, I feel the World Juniors will win out.
“It is seen because the gateway for younger athletes. World Juniors is very large in our sport.”
There’s a lot already on the plate of a younger man getting 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 comfortable, 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 group however he is been utterly unaffected by it.
“He is nonetheless the identical comfortable go fortunate man he is all the time been.
“There is no indicators of any celebrity complicated. There is no drama with him. He is only a nice younger man.”
