Gout Gout: ‘I’m on that path to greatness’
Last week, 100m world record-holder Usain Bolt compared himself to Gout, saying the Jamaican legend sees a lot of himself in the teenager who holds the Australian 200m record of 20.02 which he set in June.
Gout said he is honoured Bolt has recognised him at such a young age but is not rushing to meet the fast-rising expectations from around the world.
Bolt also said it would be prudent for Gout to take the time he needs to properly develop and surround himself with a good support group.
“It definitely feels great because Usain Bolt is literally the greatest track athlete we have ever seen – and arguably the greatest athlete we’ve seen,” said Gout, who wants to advance to university to study sports psychology.
“So it definitely feels great having someone of that caliber know me and just know I’m on that path to greatness as well.
“Just balancing that ambition and telling myself it takes time is definitely something important and obviously, I think I struggled a bit during the start of it all a couple of years ago but now I know that things don’t happen overnight.
“I’m only 17. These guys have 10, maybe even 15 years on me so definitely telling myself that time will come.”
A lot of eyes at Tokyo’s National Stadium will be on Gout – who now stands at 1.83m after growing three centimetres this year and said he will branch out to the 100m once he fills out physically – on Wednesday in the 200m heats.
His goal for these championships is to set a personal best by running a sub-20, which would make him the first Australian in history to do so. Anything beyond that would be a bonus – and an absolute spectacle to watch as he takes on the likes of US star Noah Lyles.
“I definitely think PB, regardless of where I come, is definitely a big success. Hopefully if I can make it at the semi, that’s even greater and if I make it into the final, that’s a big success. PB is definitely a big goal for me and then just going through the rounds will be big step after big step.
“(A sub-20) is definitely something special to show and hopefully being the first Australian to ever do it is definitely something I think about all the time.
“Being able to run under 20 seconds is a great achievement and just when you get under that 20 seconds, you know you can achieve more because running 19 seconds you know you’re up there for sure.
“Just being able to run to sub-20, you know you’re in the top 15, top 20 in the world so it’s something great.”
AloJapan.com