'Disrespect' called out as Gout Gout upstaged by fellow Aussie in athletics stunner
Bruce McAvaney declared "we've got two stars in Australian sprinting" after Lachlan Kennedy upstaged Gout Gout in the 200m at the Maurie Plant athletics meet in Melbourne on Saturday night. Gout made his hugely-anticipated senior sprint debut, but had to settle for second behind Kennedy.
The 21-year-old Kennedy did the 100m-200m double at Lakeside Stadium on Saturday night in front of a capacity crowd of 10,000 - nine days after winning silver in the 60m at the world indoors in China. Many of the capacity crowd were primarily there to see 17-year-old Gout run against men for the first time.
But his fellow Queenslander Kennedy stole the show, winning the 200m in a personal best time of 20.26 seconds. A fast-finishing Gout was second across the line in 20.30.
"I just wanted to give everyone a good race," Kennedy said afterwards. "It wouldn't be fun if he just destroyed everyone. I'm sorry if I did spoil it a little bit, but what a great race. You can't be upset about watching something like that."
In commentary for Channel 7, iconic caller McAvaney summed up the situation and declared Australian athletics is in good hands. 'We don't have one - we've got two stars in Australian sprinting,' he said.
Up until now, Gout's history-making feats have all come against junior athletes - including breaking the 56-year-old Australian 200m record late last year. He said it was a good learning experience on Saturday night.
"That's what you live for - this environment, the hype, the people, the expectation, the pressure," he said. "This is sport right. This is what I go to training every day for.
'It's definitely great but it also comes with the pressure and expectations from people all around the world. Comparisons to (Usain) Bolt, comparisons to pretty much everyone - it gets daunting but you know me, I just keep it simple and keep it running.'
Fans were blown away by the stunning scenes, although some felt it was somewhat "disrespectful" to Kennedy that Gout had received all the hype leading into the race. Many thought Gout would blitz the field, but clearly didn't take into account Kennedy's abilities.
Reporter Luke Doherty wrote on social media: "Gout Gout is an amazing athlete, but it's also true Australia needs to know and respect what Lachlan Kennedy is doing at 100 and 200m. This isn't 'oh look Gout Gout got beat'. This is how exciting is it to have two blokes as good as this."
The next instalment of a flourishing Kennedy-Gout friendly will come at the Australian championships in Perth in mid-April. "The experience is second to none," said Gout.
"This is something you can only get from a big meet, a Continental Gold meet, world championships and Olympics. Getting more runs like this will be great for me. The silence was definitely crazy, the silence was loud - that's what they say."
Gout Gout is an amazing athlete, but it's also true Australia needs to know and respect what Lachlan Kennedy is doing at 100&200m. This isn't oh look Gout Gout got beat. This is how exciting is it to have two blokes as good as this. https://t.co/EJQQeLS2Az
— Luke Doherty (@Luke_Doherty) March 29, 2025
Lachie Kennedy is the real deal. 20.26 in an event he doesn't train for.Our sprinting ranks never been better! So exiting for nationals in a few weeks 🔥
— Gil (@Doesgilgetalick) March 29, 2025
Some pretty good athletic talent for 2032
— Steven Wright (@smwright1965) March 29, 2025
We have two real Australian sprinting stars in Gout Gout and Lachie Kennedy. I've never seen a crowd like this at Lakeside Stadium before pic.twitter.com/KVtFXM2MBJ
— Luke Dennehy (@LukeDennehy) March 29, 2025
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