Australian sprinting sensation Gout Gout is the subject of a 7NEWS Spotlight special, airing Sunday, March 23rd, after Australian Idol on Channel 7 and 7plus. The program features Bruce McAvaney, alongside Olympic legends Cathy Freeman, Matt Shirvington, and Raelene Boyle, as they discuss Gout’s potential to become the world’s fastest man.
Here’s the Lowdown: Gout Gout, at just 16 years old, broke Peter Norman’s 56-year-old Australian 200m sprint record last December. This feat, and his running style, have drawn comparisons to Usain Bolt, with some suggesting Gout is even faster than Bolt was at the same age.
What This Means Now: The special explores Gout’s ambitions, including his goal of reaching the Olympics and winning gold at the 2032 Brisbane Games. McAvaney interviews Gout, while Shirvington and Boyle provide expert analysis during a training session.
The Bigger Picture: Gout’s rapid rise is generating significant excitement in the athletics world. His coach, Di Shepperd, and manager, James Templeton, are confident in his future success. Cathy Freeman, who understands the pressures of young athletic stardom, describes Gout as “extraordinary.” Gout’s next big race is in the Maurie Plant Meet on Saturday, 29 March, which will be broadcast exclusively live and free on Seven and 7plus.The 7NEWS Spotlight special airs next Sunday, 23 March, after Australian Idol.
