Gout Gout is a star on the rise, under the tutelage of manager James Templeton.
As Gout Gout’s ascension in the world of athletics continues apace, the man responsible for guiding him to the top says he remains the same “happy-go-lucky” kid he has always been.
Gout’s manager James Templeton had a front-row seat as the 16-year-old sprint sensation clocked an incredible time of 20.29 at the weekend’s Queensland All Schools championships and will soon accompany him on a trip to train with the fastest man on Earth, Noah Lyles.
But there is a certain pressure that comes with managing such a prodigious talent, and while the praise — and comparisons to the legendary Usain Bolt — have come thick and fast, Templeton has worked hard to keep Gout protected and grounded.
Gout Gout smashes the field in the 200m
“I’ve avoided using the ‘UB’ comparison. I think that’s unfair to a young athlete,” Templeton told the ABC Sport Daily podcast, referring to Bolt.
“For 18 months I’ve basically said a blanket ‘no’ to every media outlet in Australia that has asked. We just want to allow him to be a normal kid at school. We don’t want him to have any distraction.
ABC Sport Daily — Everyone is talking about Gout Gout
“It’s all going to be ahead of him. We want his life to be as normal as possible for as long as possible.
“But the modern world with viral videos, despite saying no to media he has gone viral and everybody is starting to get to know him.”
Keeping a lid on the hype is difficult with an athlete like Gout Gout, and though he refrains from putting a label or a ceiling on his potential, Templeton can see the greatness within him.
“Having seen a lot of great young athletes and sprinters over the years, I’m firmly convinced he has that something a little bit special to kick through to the very highest levels,” he said.
“It’s great watching him run. He’s got that flow and rhythm which is just mesmerising. Watching him come off the bend and in that last 50-60 metres, it’s very special.”
Gout Gout winning the Australian under 18 200 metres title.
Gout Gout first won the Australian under 18 200m back in 2022. (Athletics Australia)
A recently inked sponsorship deal with Adidas has opened the door for Gout to join a training camp with Lyles in the US, an opportunity which he is understandably excited about.
“We have the opportunity to go to Florida and join the training group of Noah Lyles and [coach] Lance Brauman. There’s about 16 or 18 top sprinters there.
“We’ll be heading over for two or three weeks. That’ll be a great opportunity, a wonderful educational experience.
“I haven’t heard from Noah, but he’s a great guy and I’m sure he’ll be happy to take the younger guy under his wing a little bit.”
When it comes to planning Gout’s future, very little will be left to chance. The 2032 Olympics in Brisbane already sit as a beacon in the distance, but every event along the way will serve as a critical stepping stone.
Part of that means making tough decisions — like sitting out the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Gout Gout prepares to run holding his hands up in the air
Gout Gout is already eyeing the 2026 World Juniors, at the expense of the Commonwealth Games. (AAP Image: Athletics Australia/Andrew Hilditch)
“2026 will be a great year, and the big event for him is the World Juniors,” Templeton said.
“He broke through to an extent this year and the 2026 version in Eugene, Oregon, and that’ll be a wonderful event.
“Unfortunately it clashes with the Commonwealth Games — the Commonwealth hasn’t quite looked at the calendar in the way that we look at the calendar — so we’re going to have to make a choice between the two.
“At this stage, it looks like the World Juniors are going to be our priority, which is bitterly disappointing.
“As Australians, the Commonwealth Games are something that we love and are very high profile but, if given a choice between the two, I think the World Juniors will win out.
“It’s seen as the gateway for young athletes. World Juniors is massive in our sport.”
There is a lot already on the plate of a young man preparing for his school exams this week, but Templeton says the viral fame and burgeoning success hasn’t changed Gout a bit.
“He’s a super young guy. Very happy, very easygoing, very friendly. He hasn’t changed at all.
“He’s become a bit of a star within the school community but he’s been completely unaffected by it.
“He’s still the same happy go lucky guy he’s always been.
“There’s no signs of any superstar complex. There’s no drama with him. He’s just a great young guy.”
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