Gout Gout opts out of Commonwealth Games as he seeks to observe in Usain Bolt’s footsteps

Australian dash sensation Gout Gout has determined to not compete at this 12 months’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games, selecting to give attention to the world under-20 championships, the place he hopes to emulate the legendary Usain Bolt.

The two occasions are back-to-back within the northern hemisphere summer time and the 18-year-old Gout and his help group have deemed it will be unwise to contest each so early in his burgeoning profession.

“It is [a big decision],” Gout advised the Seven Network.

“[The Commonwealth Games] is a great event and it’s one of those big meetings everyone loves.

“But taking a look at it, it’s undoubtedly a greater choice going for the world under-20s.”

The August 5-9 meet — formerly known as the world junior championships — will take place in Eugene, Oregon, at the same stadium that hosted the 2022 world championships.

Before going on to dominate world sprinting and rewrite the record books, Bolt kicked off his career with 200m gold at the 2002 world juniors.

Gout — who was second within the half-lap race on the world under-20 championships in Lima on the age of 16 — has typically spoken of his want to emulate Bolt’s feat.

The Queenslander has become a cult figure after exploding onto the global athletics scene less than two years ago.

After breaking Peter Norman’s 56-year-old 200m national record in late 2024, Gout made global headlines in 2025 with a world championships debut and 200m semifinal appearance in Japan.

He had been flagged as a potential 100m medallist in Glasgow, and his absence will be a significant blow to the Australian team and the event as a whole.

But Australian Commonwealth Games team chef de mission Petria Thomas said she understood the teenager’s decision to pull out of the Games, which run from July 23 to August 2.

“Gout is a outstanding expertise, and though he will not be in Glasgow, we hope to see him don the inexperienced and gold at a Commonwealth Games sooner or later,” Thomas stated.

“I believe it is essential that all of us bear in mind he’s 18 and stays on the rise.

“He has a long career ahead of him and we respect his decision to prioritise the world under-20 championships as he builds towards a home Olympic Games at Brisbane 2032.”

Australian Athletics also supported Gout’s decision to focus on the junior championships.

AAP