A prominent American athletics website is being urged to make a public apology over a tweet about Aussie teenager Gout Gout that’s been labelled ‘distasteful’ and ‘poor’. Gout finished fourth in his 200m semi-final at the world championships in Tokyo on Thursday night, but wasn’t fast enough to advance to the final.
Despite missing the title race, the 17-year-old received plenty of praise for his performances on debut at the world championships at such a young age. To put things into context, his time of 20.36 seconds was better than the legendary Usain Bolt produced (20.68) in his first semi-final at a senior world championships – in Helsinki in 2005.
Gout Gout finished fourth in his 200m semi-final at the athletics world championships. (Photo By Sam Barnes/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Tamsyn Manou described Gout’s efforts as “amazing” and said a 17-year-old making a world championships semi-final is something “extraordinary”. But it seems like some of the rest of the world’s media weren’t as impressed.
American website ‘Citius Mag’ – a leading publication of athletics content – used a play on Gout’s name in a tweet that he hadn’t made the final. The since-deleted tweet read: “OUT OUT. Gout Gout fails to make it out of the semi-finals.”
Athletics fans fume over ‘distasteful’ Gout Gout tweet
Citius Mag clearly realised their mistake and deleted the tweet, but fans don’t think it’s enough. Many are calling for the athletics publication to issue a public apology, pointing out that 16-year-old American Cooper Lutkenhaus didn’t receive the same sort of treatment.
One person wrote on social media: “I personally find it in poor taste to make a joke at the expense of a 17-year-old who’s had immense pressure placed on him and still managed to put together two strong runs in his first senior championship. I never saw this with Cooper Lutkenhaus – in fact, the headline you guys used there was ‘The fairytale ride comes to an end’. Do better and be consistent.”
Another person said: “Agree, found the headline distasteful and unless I missed it, Citius Mag hasn’t apologised (they deleted the tweet tho).” The ‘Border Athletics SC’ account – based in Australia – tweeted: “I already unfollowed and unsubscribed until an apology.”
American Olympian Darrell Hill posted “well said” in regards to the criticism Citius Mag is copping, while others described the original tweet as “poor” and “lazy”. One person said it might have been funny had it been posted from a parody account rather than a prominent publication.
Yahoo Sport Australia has contacted Citius Mag for comment.
Gout Gout predicting big things after world championships debut
The tweet was especially poor considering the sensitivities around Gout’s name. The teenager’s father previously revealed that his name is actually meant to be ‘Guot’, but it was spelled incorrectly on official documents when the family emigrated to Australia from South Sudan before Gout was born.
Gout was born in Queensland, and the family has kept the incorrect spelling ever since. The 17-year-old recently stated he wants to remain Gout rather than Guot.
Gout Gout has received plenty of praise for his performance at age 17. Image: Getty
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Speaking after his semi-final, Gout was keeping things in perspective. “The biggest eye-opener is knowing that I can compete at a young age against the best men in the world,” he said. “It definitely makes me hungry, knowing that I’m just a kid right now, but knowing that I can compete as a kid.
“And the thing I have on them is time. They may not have 15 years – but I’ve got 15 years. I know that if I can do this at 17, then I can do this at 25 and I’ll be even better at 25.
“I can definitely compete with a skinny frame, but getting bigger is one of the things that’s going to help me, especially with my blocks start. Knowing that I can get that strength and execute my race plan even better and get faster times.”