Australian teenager Gout Gout broke his country's 200-meter record at a track meet in the Czech Republic on Tuesday. The 17-year-old sprinter ran 20.02 seconds at the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava. He beat Cuban runner Reynier Mena who had won the last two Diamond League races. The performance marked Gout's first senior competition in Europe. He improved his personal best time from his previous record of 20.04 seconds.
Sports fans have compared Gout to Jamaican legend Usain Bolt because of his speed. Bolt ran 20.28 seconds at his first Golden Spike meeting back in 2006. Gout said he felt no pressure during the race and just focused on running his best. He broke Peter Norman's Australian record that had stood for many years. The young athlete dominated youth competitions before moving up to senior level.
Gout turned professional after winning races at school championships in Queensland last year. He signed a sponsorship deal with Adidas and will compete at the Monaco Diamond League meet on July 11. The World Championships take place in Tokyo from September 13-21. Other athletes also set records at the Ostrava meeting. Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis won with 6.13 meters. Kenyan teenager Phanuel Koech set a meeting record in the 1500 meters with 3 minutes 29.05 seconds.
Sports fans have compared Gout to Jamaican legend Usain Bolt because of his speed. Bolt ran 20.28 seconds at his first Golden Spike meeting back in 2006. Gout said he felt no pressure during the race and just focused on running his best. He broke Peter Norman's Australian record that had stood for many years. The young athlete dominated youth competitions before moving up to senior level.
Gout turned professional after winning races at school championships in Queensland last year. He signed a sponsorship deal with Adidas and will compete at the Monaco Diamond League meet on July 11. The World Championships take place in Tokyo from September 13-21. Other athletes also set records at the Ostrava meeting. Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis won with 6.13 meters. Kenyan teenager Phanuel Koech set a meeting record in the 1500 meters with 3 minutes 29.05 seconds.
