The Elvis effect: The rare trait that links Gout Gout with Shane Warne and Roger Federer

News.com.au

09-05-2025

Shane Warne had it. Roger Federer has never lost it. And Gout Gout has it too.
That rare, yet easily identifiable 'Elvis is in the room'' factor that makes heads turn wherever he goes. An aura.
Athletics poster boy Gout Gout appeared on Fox Sports Back Page on Tuesday and host Tony Squires said the show had never had a more anticipated guest in his 13 years at the helm.
That's quite a statement given The Back Page has featured dozens of sporting greats from Olympic champions to football icons, to tennis immortal Rod Laver.
But he was right. I was on the panel and could see it and feel that vibe long before Gout joined us on the set.
We say the definition of true star power on The Back Page is when the panel is more nervous than the guest and Gout Gout, in his first television appearance of this kind, seemed the most chilled person in the room.
Big names pass through Fox Sports every day without being asked for selfies yet Gout, still very much at the start of his journey, smiled his way through about 20 of them.
Then it was off to the airport for a flight to Brisbane where a Qantas steward said 'it was a pleasure to have you on board'' when he hopped off the plane.
Gout, eternally patient and polite, did his final selfie at 24 minutes to midnight with a group of five young men approached him at the Brisbane airport and said 'we are netballers but we like what you do.''
Then, the next morning, Super Man went back to being Clark Kent and quietly headed off to class at Ipswich Grammar School where he is a straight A student.
It's a unique life.
Gout's panel chat was full of insights about his life such as the time the Collingwood side wanted selfies with him, his respect and affection for coach Di Sheppard, how Olympic champion Noah Lyles calls him 'Little Bro'' and how he hopes to dominate the Olympics like Usain Bolt.
But, for me, two things stood out – one mental, one physical. Both bode well for his future.
The first was how quietly comfortable he is in his own skin. Just so unburdened and relaxed. Like his running style, Gout almost floats along, with his excellent manners adding to his charm.
Gout was in the green room before the show and when our chat turned to the Griddy dance done by Oscar Piastri after the Miami Grand Prix Gout was asked if he had heard of the dance and knew how to do it.
He promptly unveiled it in front of us and when later asked if he would do it on the show, agreed without hesitation … a little nod to the showman that lurks within him.
As we watched him Griddy around the set the thought flashed through my mind that at just 17 Gout has reached a place where many sportsmen never get to, of freedom, enjoying the journey and all of its quirky delights.
Other people's expectations seem to buoy rather than intimidate him.
Gout is in a good sport for quiet self-belief because no sport is fairer than sprinting. If you are good enough you win. No sprinter in history has even been blocked for a run.
But the second and most telling factor and one which should put the world on notice is his firm belief is that he is still improving.
Because his 100m and 200m times are so freakish some experts have pondered whether he may have blossomed and peaked early. He feels he is still growing and with growth and extra strength will come better times.
Look out world. He's coming your way.