Usain Bolt’s gaze on Gout’s hunt for his records

The 200-meter final at the World Athletics Championships has concluded, but the conversation continues to revolve around young talent Gout Gout and his performance in the event.

Usain Bolt has hailed teenage sprint prodigy Gout Gout as the next big thing in athletics – yet even the legendary Jamaican admitted he was stunned by what he witnessed from the young Australian.

At just 17, Gout is making his debut on the World Athletics Championships stage and is already being tipped as a leading figure for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics thanks to his blistering performances.

In the opening round of the men’s 200m, he clocked 20.23 seconds, securing third place in his heat and a spot in the semi-finals. Remarkably, that’s quicker than what Bolt himself managed in his first major international outing over two decades ago. Back in the 2004 Athens Olympics, Bolt was hindered by a leg issue and could only post 21.05s—nearly a full second slower.

What’s more, Gout visibly eased down before the line, suggesting he has even more to offer in the upcoming races.

From the stands at Tokyo’s National Stadium, Bolt, the current 200m world record holder, was visibly impressed. He recalled his own struggles as a teenager adjusting to the senior level before his unforgettable triple-gold breakthrough in Beijing 2008.

Still, the sprint icon urged patience and careful management of the youngster’s career.

“He has a great future,” Bolt said at the one-year countdown celebration for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship. “If he continues on this track it's going to be good but it's all about getting everything right. I mean, it's never just easy.”