- Future Olympian has declined 90 per cent of commercial offers
He hasn’t been to a single Olympic Games, but Aussie teen sprinting star Gout Gout already has the world at his feet – including signing with an iconic Aussie brand.
The 18-year-old from Ipswich has rejected about 90 per cent of commercial offers, his manager James Templeton has revealed.
But one collaboration he couldn’t turn down was a deal with Vegemite.
‘There have been a lot of discussions over the last six to 12 months, but it’s got to be the right fit and it’s got to be the right deal,’ Templeton told Wide World of Sports.
‘You’ve got to think that each sponsor has demands, like media shoots and appearances.
‘Vegemite is a company that has an understanding of what an elite athlete requires in their life — i.e. freedom to focus on training.
Gout Gout (pictured) is being swamped with sponsorship/partnership requests and has recently agreed to a collaboration with Vegemite
The 18-year-old (pictured) is one of the biggest names in Australian sport
The sprint sensation (pictured) has recently teamed up with Vegemite
‘He’s not just filling in hours of his day, running off and doing everything.’
Gout has been asked to attend F1 races and, more recently, was invited to Paris Fashion Week.
The teenager has also been asked to officially open a new tropical resort, as well as a shopping centre precinct.
The deal with Vegemite came after months of talks with Gout’s manager and the Aussie company, culminating in the launch of the collab in Gout’s hometown, Ipswich.
Gout’s new deal is the second major partnership of his career.
The first agreement he completed was with Adidas.
Gout (pictured) was born in Ipswich – after his parents migrated to Australia from Sudan shortly before he was born
Gout (pictured), has partnered with Adidas in a deal set to expire in 2032
Gout (pictured) will not represent Australia at the upcoming Commonwealth Games
Gout is currently on a long-term contract with the brand after signing an estimated $6million deal, which runs through until the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
Due to the agreement being so lucrative and lengthy, Adidas has assisted Gout and his team by alleviating any financial pressure.
‘Having a great deal, a great association with Adidas gave us quite a lot of flexibility,’ Templeton said.
‘At no stage have we been running around chasing money. Deals and value will all take care of themselves.’
Gout’s popularity kicked off when the teenager clocked 20.04 seconds in December 2024 to break the famed 200m national record set at the 1968 Olympics.
No other 16-year-old in history has run the 200m so fast.
His family migrated to Australia from Sudan shortly before he was born.
