Olympic icon Usain Bolt has warned rising star Gout Gout that the transition from junior athletics to the senior level is a challenging process, adding that the Australian teen reminds him of himself during his youth.
Gout, who has twice beaten the 10-second barrier, albeit wind assisted, will make his World Athletics Championships debut next week, representing Australia at Tokyo’s National Stadium, where he could be competing alongside the likes of Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek.
The 17-year-old has earned comparisons to Jamaican sprint king Bolt for his achievements, with Australian fans hopeful he can continue improving towards the 2032 Olympic in Brisbane.
However, Bolt knows first hand how difficult the initial transition to senior level athletics can be.
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“I think the talent that he’s showing when I was young is the same thing,” Bolt said of Gout
“And this is why I’m trying to advise him to be very careful in transition because I had a tough time transitioning into the senior level.
“So finding the right people, finding the right coach that could transition into the senior level (is key).
“He has a great future. If he gets everything right, his future is going to be bright.”
Bolt made his Olympic debut at Athens in 2004, but the then 18-year-old didn’t qualify beyond the first round of the 200m event.
However, four years later, he broke the 100m world record twice and won the sprint double in Beijing, ending his career as an 11-time world champion and eight-time Olympic gold medallist.
Jamaica’s Usain Bolt at an event ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.Source: AP
“If (Gout) continues on this track, it’s going to be good, but it’s all about getting everything right. I mean, it’s never just easy,” Bolt continued.
“It’s always easier when you’re younger because I was there, I used to do great things when I was young, but the transition to senior from junior is always tougher.
“It’s all about if you get the right coach, the right people around you, if you’re focused enough, so there will be a lot of factors to determine if he’s going to be great, and if he’s going to continue on the same trajectory to a championship or Olympics.”
Gout Gout of Australia. AP Photo/Petr David Josek, FileSource: AP
He continued: “He’s very talented, with the times he’s running now, and he’s really been doing well.
“That’s something that you love to see because you want athletes to do well. The more athletes do well, the bigger the sport is, and I’m always a supporter of track and field getting bigger and doing bigger things.”
The World Athletics Championships get underway on Saturday.