IPSWICH sprinting phenomenon Gout Gout is set to light up the 143rd Stawell Gift next month.
Last weekend it was revealed that the teenager’s highly anticipated appearance is being financially backed by Sandy McGregor, the majority owner of 2015 Melbourne Cup-winning racehorse, Prince of Penzance.
McGregor’s investment in the 17-year-old speedster underscores Gout’s growing status as one of Australia’s most exciting young athletes.
His appearance at the iconic 120m race in country Victoria over the Easter long weekend (April 19-21) is expected to draw record crowds.
“He’s exciting, isn’t he?” Mr McGregor told media.
“He’s going to double the crowd. This is an investment in the Stawell Gift. I grew up here, and you need someone like Gout to bring that level of excitement and attention to the race. It’s good for the town, good for the Gift.”
Gout has already made headlines across the athletics world, particularly after running a blistering 20.04 seconds in the 200m in Brisbane last December – breaking Peter Norman’s longstanding Australian record of 20.06 set at the 1968 Olympics.
At just 16, Gout’s time was also faster than sprinting legend Usain Bolt’s best at the same age (20.13), drawing comparisons to the Jamaican great.
His meteoric rise has been further solidified by a sponsorship deal with adidas, reportedly worth over $6 million, leading up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
The Stawell Gift, one of Australia’s most famous footraces, presents a unique challenge with its handicap format.
Only two men in its 142-year history have won from scratch, a scenario Gout may face depending on the handicap he is assigned.
While Gout is the headline act, he won’t have it easy. He will be joined by some of Australia’s top sprinters, including Lachlan Kennedy (10.03 seconds), Josh Azzopardi (10.09), and Jack Hale (10.12), all of whom have faster 100m personal bests than Gout’s 10.17.
Gout’s rapid ascent has him poised for even bigger stages.
He is expected to make his senior Australian debut at the World Championships in Tokyo in September, where he will go head-to-head with reigning Olympic and world champion Noah Lyles.
