Gout Gout clocks 19.84 in scintillating Perth run
More than a decade has passed since the Stawell Gift last attracted a sprint superstar from overseas, but some locals with deep pockets are “angling” to entice one of Noah Lyles or Sha’Carri Richardson for next year’s edition, according to the Victorian Athletic League president.
Wide World of Sports can also reveal local businessman Sandy McGregor has committed $150,000 to support Gout Gout over the coming months — and that sum of cash is in addition to the $50,000 he paid the 17-year-old Queensland sprint sensation to run at this year’s Stawell Gift.
McGregor, the majority owner of the racehorse that won the 2015 Melbourne Cup, will support Gout as he heads overseas with his camp to race in Europe and Japan this year.
The Ipswich product will contest the 200 metres at the Czech Republic’s Ostrava Golden Spike meet taking place on June 25 (AEST), as well as one other yet-to-be-revealed race on the same trip.
“He’s exciting, he deserves it [the funding], and we’re all hoping he gets to Europe and performs the way he’s been performing in Australia,” McGregor told Wide World of Sports.
Noah Lyles celebrates winning the men’s 100 metres at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
US megastar Noah Lyles celebrates winning the men’s 100 metres at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“It’s an ongoing sponsorship to support team Gout. Originally, I put money towards the district first and Gout second, and now that it was a success [at the Stawell Gift], he deserves a bit more support until he gets himself more firmly entrenched in the system.”
McGregor has no official ties to either the Stawell Gift or the Victorian Athletic League (VAL), which runs Australia’s oldest and richest footrace, but he wanted Gout to run on the grass of Central Park this year because he’s passionate about the area thriving.
Gout and the event’s other major drawcard, fellow Queenslander Lachlan Kennedy, were both bundled out in the semi-finals of the men’s 120m.
Their early exits led to some sections of the mainstream media levelling scathing criticism at the handicapper, but Kennedy’s coach and the VAL president both rubbished that criticism.
Regardless, the impact Gout had on the country Victoria event was immense.
WWOS understands all three days of this year’s Stawell Gift drew a crowd that doubled usual daily attendances.
“They made a lot of money, the crowd was big and the town deserved it. So it’s good,” McGregor said.
“It will give it a kick along.”
Sha’Carri Richardson of the United States pictured at Paris 2024.
Sha’Carri Richardson of the US pictured at Paris 2024. Getty
McGregor said he wasn’t considering making a pitch for Lyles or Richardson, but VAL president Matt McDonough said some wealthy locals had indicated their interest.
Lyles is the reigning Olympic gold medallist in the men’s 100m, while Richardson is the defending world champion in the women’s 100m.
“There are a couple of people angling in that space … There are a few influential people that have some backing that suggested they’re going to try to see what they can do. There’s plenty of people around with money to support that,” McDonough told WWOS.
“Someone might say, ‘Look, we can spend half a million to get Noah Lyles’, and he might not come for that.
Gout Gout waves to the crowd after bowing out in the semi-finals of the men’s 120 metres.
Gout Gout waves to the crowd after bowing out in the semi-finals of the men’s 120 metres at the Stawell Gift. Getty
“Who knows? By the time we get to next year Gout could be just as big as Noah Lyles. So are we better off just spending a bit more money to ensure Gout comes back, rather than getting Noah Lyles?”
Linford Christie, Kim Collins and Asafa Powell are among the superstars who’ve travelled from overseas to run at the Stawell Gift, which this year marked its 143rd year.
“Stawell hasn’t had the big international star for a long time … We haven’t had that for 10-15 years,” McDonough said.
“We’d be interested, the VAL, and I’m sure Stawell would. We would be super excited to have any of the international superstars come along, like on
e of those big-name Americans, to take on Gout.”
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