- Sprint star is preparing for World Athletics Championships
Aussie sprint sensation Gout Gout has revealed why he drives a modest Hyundai i30 car – and the shocking treatment he often endures when he’s out in public.
The 17-year-old, who will compete at the World Championships in Tokyo later this month, is the name on many people’s lips when it comes to athletics, such is his raw talent.
Comparisons to Olympic legend Usain Bolt would suffocate some rising stars, but the Ipswich Grammar student in Brisbane is keeping a level head.
His coach Di Sheppard ensures Gout remains humble, with both well aware his sporting journey has only just begun.
But away from the track, Gout is often given a harsh reminder of the racist behaviour that creeps into elements of Australian society.
‘[I’ve] never been pulled over [by the police] when driving,’ Gout told News Corp.
Aussie sprint sensation Gout Gout has revealed why he drives a modest Hyundai i30 car – and what he often is forced to endure when out in public
Despite his high profile, Gout is often given a harsh reminder of racial elements that creep into Australian society when out and about
‘But when I’m in a shop, they [people] look at you differently. You try to block it out.
‘I’m just used to it. I have a tolerance for it. A high tolerance.’
That sort of treatment is also why you won’t see Gout driving a Ferrari or Lamborghini anytime soon, despite signing a deal with Adidas that’s worth $6million.
When Gout was asked why he chose his run-of-the-mill Hyundai instead of a flashier car to avoid being harassed by fans, Sheppard stepped in and replied ‘racial profiling’.
Racial profiling occurs when people such as police use race or ethnicity as the sole basis for suspecting someone of committing a crime.
His inner circle – which includes Sheppard and manager James Templeton – will do their utmost to make sure the sprinter doesn’t get ahead of himself.
Gout is encouraged to dream big, and the script has been written – an Olympic Games in his hometown come 2032.
But don’t expect to see any outlandish public statements – the teenager is the first to admit he has plenty of work to do before he is considered world-class.
The 17-year-old shocked onlookers at a recent school event in Queensland, clocking an unofficial time of 9.94 seconds in a 100m race
And despite some sports fans believing Gout wasn’t born in Australia, the truth is he was welcomed into the world in December of 2005 in suburban Ipswich.
His parents are from South Sudan, and they moved Down Under in search of better life opportunities.
How the likes of Sheppard and Templeton manage the level of expectation will be key for Gout – but given he is already the Oceania record holder over 200m following a slick time of 20.02 in the Czech Republic earlier this year, plenty are watching his every move.
The LA Olympics in 2028 will be a target, but winning gold in front of family and friends four years later will be on Gout’s bucket list.
In January, Gout joined Noah Lyles at a training camp in the US and then showed he isn’t short of confidence.
Gout cheekily called out the Olympic 100m champ on his podcast, saying he was coming for the American in Tokyo.
Time will tell if Gout realises his potential – but it would take a brave person to bet against him.
