On the eve of an international campaign that culminates in an appearance at an iconic American track, Australian sensation Gout Gout has cracked the big time when profiled in a prime-time special that has aired across the United States.
The Ipswich sprinter, who is targeting the under-20 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon in August as his main goal for the international season, was a star feature on flagship current affairs program 60 Minutes in America on Sunday night.
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More than eight million Americans tuned in for a feature exploring the unique dynamic between the 18-year-old and his “grouchy grandma” Di Sheppard, the Brisbane-based coach who spotted Gout when he was a schoolboy.
While the story by acclaimed American journalist Jon Wertheim, who also writes for Sports Illustrated, canvassed the comparisons between Gout and legendary sprinter Usain Bolt, Sheppard also gave an insight into her character.
Among the highlights was Sheppard’s response to a question regarding what she would do if Gout brought home a girlfriend who she did not approve of. Simple, Sheppard said. The girl would have to “go”.
“I think the only time we’ll have trouble is if it’s a girl that I don’t like. I’d go to (his) mum and go, ‘Yeah, she’s gotta go’,” Sheppard told 60 Minutes.
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Gout, who clocked a stunning 19.67sec when winning the 200m at the Australian Championships earlier this year, is due to clash with sprinting titan Noah Lyles at the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava in mid-June over 150 metres.
The Australian made his senior international debut at the meet last year when winning the 200m in a time of 20.02sec and his clash with the reigning 100m Olympic gold medallist is set to be watched closely.
In the feature interview, Gout said his partnership with the usually publicity-shy Sheppard was ideal.
“It’s a pretty crazy dynamic when you think about it. The old white lady and a young black kid, you know?,” he said.
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“It’s a crazy dynamic. But (it) turns out it works perfectly, and (I) wouldn’t have it any other way. Our personalities kinda filter off each other. We’re all on the same level, and we’re all learning. So it’s a great relationship.”
Quizzed as to how he felt about his burgeoning profile in Australia and internationally, Gout said that he would prefer it be said he was “well known” across the athletics community than “famous”.
“That’s right. So I don’t really use the word ‘famous’. I’m just well known,” he said.
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