Racism storm erupts after Gout Gout's latest sprinting heroics

News.com.au

4 hours ago

Teen phenomenon Gout Gout built on his burgeoning legacy with a stunning performance on his European athletics debut in the early hours of Wednesday AEST.
The 17-year-old, who still can't legally vote or hold a full Queensland drivers licence, ran down a high quality field at the Golden Spike event in the Czech Republic, improving his own 200m national record with a time of 20.02 seconds.
It is just the latest step in an already remarkable career from a prodigious talent that has experts reaching for the record books every time he dons his spikes.
His feat was naturally celebrated across the globe, with many marvelling at his undeniable progress and others becoming aware of his extraordinary ability for the first time.
Sadly that acclaim isn't always reflected by the land that should be supporting Gout more than any other - right here in Australia.
While he was feted globally, countless so-called Australians – the vast majority a gutless lot using fake or hidden names on social media – couldn't resist the opportunity to ridicule the youngster and his heritage.
Gout's family migrated to Australia in 2005 and settled in Queensland, where he was born two years later.
He has spent his entire life in the state, commencing high school at Ipswich Grammar School and attending his school formal just last month.
Blessed with raw talent, Gout emerged as a sprinting prodigy at a meet in 2020 and has been shattering Australia's junior records ever since.
He took that a step further at the Australian All Schools Championships in December last year when he ran 20.04 seconds to break the great Peter Norman's 200m record of 20.06s that had stood since the 1968 Olympics.
Gout, who has also broken the 10-second barrier in wind-assisted 100m races, lowered that 200m record to 20.02s on Wednesday as he inches closer to breaking 20 seconds.
His effort brought some enormous praise online.
Tennis great Paul McNamee wrote on X: 'Our Aussie takes wings in Europe too.'
Former athlete and current track and field journalist Mitch Dyer tweeted: 'As someone who has watched Gout Gout up close a lot now, this phase from 50-150m is only getting better. His start was faster, his launch into the turn was clean – this is electric to watch. A new Aus record on his European debut, can't wait for what's in store over the coming weeks.'
Reporter Mark Gottlieb said: '17 years old. Running 20.02 to easily win races against seasoned professionals in his first ever race in Europe. Gout Gout is the truth.'
Queensland premier David Crisafulli also noted the performance, tweeting: 'A Queenslander showing the world how it's done. Congratulations on another incredible run Gout Gout.'
But amid all the praise, this is where the narrative sadly takes a much darker turn.
Crisafulli's tweet has had over 200 comments and a huge number of them sickeningly declare that Gout is anything but Australian.
The very first reply to Crisafulli came from @JennyTa22393082, who ended her reply with a face palm emoji after commenting: 'Yeah he looks Australian.'
Brendan Everingham, who uses the handle @AngloCeltx, replied: 'Absolutely not a 'Queenslander'. He's an African, not an Australian.'
Another account, @conway_austen, offered this and we've retained the typo: 'Your on drugs, that's an African.'
There were countless other confronting comments we won't list here and they continue a horrific theme Gout cops every time he achieves something on the track.
The better he does, the worse some of the vitriol descends.
Thankfully, in this reporter's opinion, many of those cowardly comments are called out by others.
One tweet that sparked a huge response came from Jacob, who has an account called @MagpieMetalcore.
He wrote: 'I wonder why people question Gout Gout legitimately of being Australian but not people like Andrew Bogut, Ange Postecoglou & Shane Warne to name a few. Just quite can't put my finger on it.
'You're Australian if you're born here and also can become an Aussie by being a citizen.'
Basketball great Bogut was born in Melbourne after his parents immigrated to Australia from Croatia.
Europa League winning manager Postecoglou was born in Greece before moving Down Under as a five-year-old, while Warne's mother Brigitte is German.
Others were quick to point out the likes of swimming gold medallist Cate Campbell, who was born in Malawi, or tennis star Alex de Minaur, who has a Uruguayan father and Spanish mother.
Regardless, there was a strong reaction to the hundreds of comments declaring Gout is not Australian.
Andrew Rollason tweeted: 'Has anyone heard him speak? My goodness. That voice can only come from southern Queensland. Gout Gout is as Aussie as XXXX and chucking (donuts) in a Woolies car park.'
Account @Kelly99978391 said: 'I would have thought all Australians would be very proud to have one of the fastest runners in the world. I'm ecstatic he is Australian.'
Kit Walker took it a step further, writing: 'I love it when they out themselves as bigots. Makes my job of adding to my block list so much easier.'
Daniel MZ Hogan declared: 'Just might be a little thing called racism.'
Others expressed their dismay or disgust at many of the comments.
Account @taipan168 said: 'Gout Gout is a legend in the making, but the replies to this are utterly disgraceful. Gout Gout was born in Australia, so he's an Australian. Full bloody stop.'
The imaginatively titled @RecklesFlam1ngo said: 'Jfc the comments under every Gout Gout article are always disgusting.'
@andrewckeith wrote: 'WTF is wrong with people here? Be proud of a fellow Aussie doing well on the world stage!! Be proud of Australia's unique heritage. Be proud to be Australian and of all other Australians.'
Responding to Crisafulli's tweet, Barbara McDermott wrote: 'Gosh I'm ashamed at the replies to your post David.'
It's a sad reality that social media will seemingly always allow these mostly faceless trolls to spew their hatred towards an individual like Gout.
Thankfully, there are usually almost as many trying to shout them down.
Gout, born and raised in Queensland, is a marvel and Australian to the core.
And what's the bet these cowardly trolls stand and cheer if and when Gout dons the green and gold and stands atop an Olympic podium while Advance Australia Fair rings out?