Photos offer stark reality check after Gout Gout cops swipe over 'soft' move

Yahoo

27-05-2025

Aussie sprint sensation Gout Gout has put the recent criticism of his athletics development into perspective after sharing a series of happy snaps from his year 12 formal. Among the comparisons to the greatest sprinter of all time, Usain Bolt, and the enormous hype and expectation that has accompanied Gout's meteoric rise, it's easy to forget that the Queensland track phenomenon is still just 17 years old.
American sprinter Noah Williams took an extraordinary swipe at Gout's decision to run in an Under-23 event at the Monaco Diamond League in July, rather than compete in the open category. Williams described it as a 'soft' decision and says it would never happen with young American athletes, accusing Gout of "ducking" races against the world's best sprinters.
The move is clearly designed with the best interests of Gout's development in mind, and protecting him from the risk injury or overexposure at such an early stage of his career. And the series of photos that Gout shared from his recent year 12 formal provide a telling reminder of the sprint star's tender age and the importance of allowing him to enjoy his final year as an Ipswich Grammar School student.
Gout attended his school's senior formal earlier this month, and has now taken to Instagram to share a number of photos from the special night. The superstar arrived in style to the May 15 spectacle, with Gout pictured alongside his friends in a pink stretch Hummer that took them to the formal at Brisbane's Victoria Park.
Decked out in a dark suit with deep-red tie and matching pocket square, plus a red rose on his lapel, Gout looked dapper as he celebrated the milestone moment with a group of his school buddies. The 17-year-old shared a number of beautiful snaps with his date, Asha, who looked striking in a strapless red gown that complimented Gout's look superbly.
'I step light, but my presence heavy,' Gout posted alongside the photos in a nod to his burgeoning reputation as one of the world's most exciting young sprint talents. The post sparked an outpouring of messages for the 17-year-old as fans remarked about how incredible Gout and his friends looked.
"Gout Gout breaking the dance floor," one person replied to the teenager's Instagram post. Others flooded the comments section with fire emojis, while fellow Aussie teen sprinter Bella Pasquali alluded to the photos with Gout's date by writing: "The hard launch we've all been waiting for."
The images reinforce the fact that Gout is focusing on enjoying his final year of high school before inevitably turning his attention towards a professional athletics career. And it goes a long way to explaining his decision to make his Diamond League debut (the premier global athletics tour) in the Under-23s in Monaco on July 11, rather than competing in the open event.
Gout has become a global sensation after some eye-catching and historic times in the 100m and 200m in recent months, but his favourite event is the 200. He is also slated to run the 200m at the world championships in Tokyo in September but critics such as American sprinter Williams have questioned why Gout's team is being overly protective by not entering him in open categories against the world's best.
Speaking on the 'Track World News' podcast earlier this month, Williams labelled it 'soft' that Gout is running the Under-23 event in Monaco. "That's really, really just soft," Williams said. 'The kid is super talented, but that's besides the point... the narrative now is he's ducking these professional races."