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Gout Gout, an Australian sprinter of South Sudanese descent, is making waves in the world of athletics. At just 16 years old, he has signed a $6 million deal with Adidas, a figure set to increase through performance-related bonuses. The agreement was finalized during the Junior World Championships in Lima last August, as Adidas moved quickly to secure the emerging talent many believe to be Usain Bolt’s successor.
The young athlete’s international breakthrough came not at the World Championships but during a national meet in Brisbane, where he delivered extraordinary performances. Gout clocked 10.17 seconds in the 100 meters (with a wind-assisted 10.04 personal best) and an astonishing 20.04 seconds in the 200 meters. This time not only set a new Australian record, unbroken for 56 years, but also surpassed Usain Bolt’s under-17 world record of 20.13 seconds from 2003.
Expectations for Gout Gout are sky-high, with his Adidas contract reminiscent of those held by the sport’s biggest stars. For comparison, Bolt earned around $10 million annually from Puma at the height of his career. For now, the plan is for Gout to remain in Australia to continue his physical and technical development while completing his education. Training stints in Florida with 100-meter Olympic champion Noah Lyles are also on the horizon.
Set to turn 17 on December 29, Gout Gout’s future looks incredibly bright, driven by his record-breaking performances. However, the real challenge begins now: turning his immense potential into lasting success.
