“Paper Australian.” That’s the label some critics have slapped on Gout Gout—a harsh jab at the teenage track sensation. But why? According to sports pundits, his meteoric rise to fame has made people admire him more for his blistering speed than his Australian identity. They claim that despite his jaw-dropping performances on the track, Gout’s Sudanese heritage makes him feel like an outsider to some.

His success, they argue, is celebrated more for the prestige it brings to Australia than for any genuine cultural bond with the country. But here’s the catch—Gout is Australian. Born in Ipswich, Queensland, to a father who moved from Sudan at a young age, he’s as Aussie as they come. So, how does he still get labeled as an outsider?

No answers from the critics—just silence. But make no mistake, their whispers and side-eyes don’t slow him down. If anything, they fuel him. While a handful of purists nitpick, hunting for ways to paint him as different, the track sensation is too busy chasing greatness to care. Is he fazed by the noise? Not a chance. Instead, he’s stepping up to take on even bigger responsibilities on the track. 

Gout Gout is moving forward 

After blazing through the 200m in 20.06 seconds, the 17-year-old has officially become the fastest sprinter in Oceanian history. And here’s the shocker—he’s only 17 years old. To put that in perspective, he’s already outpaced the legendary Usain Bolt’s under-18 record of 20.13 seconds. That’s right—he is running faster than the man who redefined sprinting. But that’s not all. With a blistering 20.04-second finish, he has also shattered Peter Norman’s Australian national record of 20.06 seconds. It was a mark that had stood tall since 1968.

For context, Norman ran that time at the Mexico City Olympics, earning a silver medal and forever etching his name into Australia’s athletic history. So, here’s the big question. Is Gout Gout on the same path? Sixty years after Norman’s Olympic feat, could he be gearing up to make history of his own? With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, the possibility is tantalizing. Could he become the first Australian to claim individual gold in the men’s 200m event?

Well, he seems to be ready. In his YouTube documentary released by 7 News Spotlight, the Queenslander said, “I think I’m prepared and I’m prepared to take the country’s weight on my shoulders, and even whatever pressure that hits me, I know I can overcome it.” Brave words! But he needs better speed to face sprinters like Noah Lyles, Letsile Tebogo, and Kenny Bednarek. Is he sure about hitting that mark? 

Yes. In the same interaction, Gout said, “I know I can do that to the fullest and pretty much just be myself and show the world that Australia is a force to be reckoned with.” The level of his confidence was realized properly when he said, “I believe I can go faster than I can I believe I can go real fast I know that I’m just a boy right now but once I start growing into my body, getting quite stronger I know that those times will drop and I’m going to be fast.” But what about the support from his countrymen?

In Australia, he has faced a bittersweet reaction to his performances. How can he be so sure to see people supporting him in the LA Olympics? 

The team is positive to find support from the home crowd 

James Templeton, the mastermind guiding Gout Gout’s rise and the agent orchestrating his every move, does not doubt his young star’s mental fortitude. Templeton is convinced that Gout will never buckle under the weight of a roaring crowd. Speaking with the Sydney Morning Herald, he confidently declared: “He’s not going to shrink from an audience–he’s happy to have the limelight.” And why wouldn’t he be?

Gout thrives under the bright lights—the bigger the stage, the faster he runs. Templeton believes that the support of the Australian public will only fuel his fire. “The feeling that the Australian public is behind him is important to Gout,” Templeton added. But his vision doesn’t stop there. He’s dreaming bigger. Templeton imagines a future where, by the time the LA2028 rolls around,  the youngster will be a household name.

He will be a national hero. He hopes that average Aussie sports fans will no longer ask, “Who’s Gout Gout?” but instead, eagerly wonder: “When’s our boy running?” And if Gout keeps tearing down records at his current pace, you can bet that soon, every living room in Australia will be buzzing with that very question.