World's fastest man Noah Lyles linked with Gout Gout showdown at next year's Stawell Gift
After the success of this year's Stawell Gift despite neither Gout Gout nor Lachlan Kennedy making the final, key figures are reportedly set to present a mega-money offer to the world's fastest man, Noah Lyles, in an attempt to get him to race on the iconic grass track in 2025.
Despite Stawell Gift organisers left to rue harsh handicaps given to headline talent Gout and Kennedy at this year's Stawell Gift, the event was an overwhelming success.
Bumper crowds made their way to Central Park for all three days and it has led the Victorian Athletic League (VAL) - which organises Australia's oldest footrace - to consider tabling a bumper offer to the reigning 100m Olympic gold medallist in an attempt to get him to race Gout on Australian soil in what would certainly attract record crowds.
'There are a couple of people angling in that space … There are a few influential people that have some backing that suggested they're going to try to see what they can do. There's plenty of people around with money to support that,' VAL president McDonough told Wide World of Sports.
'Someone might say, 'Look, we can spend half a million to get Noah Lyles', and he might not come for that.
'Who knows? By the time we get to next year, Gout could be just as big as Noah Lyles.
' … (But) we'd be interested (in bringing Noah Lyles to Australia), the VAL, and I'm sure Stawell would. We would be super excited to have any of the international superstars come along, like one of those big-name Americans, to take on Gout.'
This year, local businessman Sandy McGregor – the majority owner of Prince of Penzance, the horse who won the hearts of Australia when it took out the 2015 Melbourne Cup with Michelle Payne aboard – paid $50,000 for Gout to tear down the 110m grass straight.
But his generosity hasn't stopped there as he will also continue to support Gout as he heads overseas with to race in Europe and Asia this year.
McGregor has reportedly committed $150,000 to the Aussie phenom so he can contest several races abroad.
Gout will next compete in the 200 metres at the Ostrava Golden Spike meet in the Czech Republic on June 25 (AEST).
He will then set his sights on gold at the world championships in Tokyo in September.
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