Gout Gout wins Diamond League debut in Monaco in 20.1 seconds, -1.9 per second headwind

The Australian

6 days ago

The ease of the victory was impressive but an annoying head wind denied Gout Gout making an even bigger statement in his Diamond League debut in Monaco.
Breaking the magical 20-second barrier was the plan for the 17-year-old Queensland schoolboy in the U/23 200m but the wind gods weren't on his side.
Gout was still able to showcase his class, thrilling the crowd by charging home to win emphatically in 20.10sec into a strong -1.9m per second headwind.
Just under two hours later American superstar Noah Lyles made a successful return to the 200m in far more favourable conditions than what Gout had to deal with, clocking 19.88sec into a -0.8m per second wind.
Australia's Gout Gout celebrates after winning in the U23 men's 200m event of the Diamond League athletics meeting at the Louis II stadium in Monaco on July 11, 2025. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP)
Fellow Australian Peter Bol stepped up to capture the limelight, incredibly smashing his own Australian 800m record by more than a second, clocking 1min42.55sec.
After finding himself out the back in a field, which included all eight finalists from the Paris Olympics, through the first lap Bol powered home to grab fourth behind Kenyan Emmanuel Wanyonyi who set a meet record 1:41.44sec.
Gout had been hoping to improve on his Australian record-breaking performance of 20.02sec in his European debut two weeks ago in Ostrava.
He was third as the field came around the bend before his trademark surge kicked in and he overhauled Botswana's Busang Collen Kebinatshipi (20.28sec). in the final 50m. Another 17-year-old, Naeem Jack, was 3rd in 20.42sec.
'My top-end speed is my secret, so I've just got to focus on the first 100, first 50, and once I get out of that bend, I know I can run people down,' Gout said. 'So [I thought]: stay relaxed, stay focused, and just power through.
Gout Gout was third at the turn but pulled away for an easy victory. Picture: Valery HACHE / AFP
'I know there was a little headwind, but those are the things you've just got to compete against. Those are the things you can't control, you've just got to go out there, and try your best, whatever the conditions are, you've just got to go out there and run.
'Today was just getting really relaxed and focusing on what I have been doing in training and that is what I did and I got a win. It was into a negative headwind so that was pretty unlucky, but I was just practising what I do in training and trying to execute.'
Gout will now head home to finish his Year 12 studies at Ipswich Grammar School before setting his sights on taking on Lyles and Tebogo at the world championships in Tokyo in September.
He still has time on his side to chase down Usain Bolt's record, 19.93sec, as the fastest 17-year-old in history given he doesn't turn 18 until December 29 this year.
'I haven't competed much this season since I have to go to school, I will be back on Monday,' Gout said. 'During the holidays is the time to compete for me, I come back here and get in a few good races.
'I didn't compete in the main race because I just want to slowly get used to it, there is no point putting me in big races when I am running at the world championships. The goal now is to go out there and have a little bit of fun.
'The progression is the under-23 race just getting my feet out there and obviously I am feeling very excited racing everyone out in the big league Noah Lyles, (Letsile) Tebogo, just everyone out there is fun to compete with so I just got out there (in Tokyo) and see what I can do.'
Peter Bol broke his own Australian 800m record at the Morocco meet. Picture:Lyles, the three-time world champion, got revenge for his defeat in Paris last year, running brilliant from lane six for a season's best 19.88sec, defeating Olympic champion Tebogo (19.97sec).
The comeback of Bol has been one of the feel-good stories of the year.
After finishing fourth at the Tokyo Olympic Games, Bol lost his way following a drug scandal where he was ultimately cleared. But he was a shadow of his former self – he was run out in the heats at the Paris Olympics – until this summer in Australia.
The 31-year-old, who became a father last year, set a New Australian record (1:43.79sec) in Perth in April to announce his return with the performance in Monaco confirming he will again be in the medal mix in Tokyo.
In the women's 1000m, Olympic silver medallist Jessica Hull rode a fast pace before finishing third in an Australian record 2:30.96sec behind Kenya's Nelly Chepchirchir (2:29.77sec). Melbourne's Sarah Billings was seventh in a personal best 2:33.17sec.
Scott Gullan
Score Columnist - AFL/Athletics writer
Scott Gullan has more than 25 years experience in sports journalism. He is News Corp's chief athletics writer and award-winning AFL correspondent. He's covered numerous Olympic Games, world championships and Commonwealth Games. He's also the man behind the Herald Sun's popular Score column.
@gullanHeraldSun
Scott Gullan