Gout Gout's agent left 17-year-old sprinting sensation stunned after financial admission
Gout Gout has taken the world of athletics by storm over the past couple of years, but it wasn't until Adidas came calling that the Australian sprinter realised his true impact on sprinting
Rising sprint sensation Gout Gout was nearly at a loss for words when his agent broke the news that Adidas had come knocking with a multi-million dollar endorsement deal.
The 17-year-old Australian has been making serious waves in track and field, having demolished his country's men's U18 200m record at the Junior Athletics Championships two years back with an electrifying 20.87 seconds. But it didn't stop there. In December, the teen notched the second-fastest U18 time worldwide in the same event at the Australian All Schools Championships by clocking in at a blistering 20.04s.
Smashing records like a pro, he even eclipsed the mark set by eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt during his youth and shattered the longstanding Australian and Oceanian record held by Peter Norman since 1968. But the magnitude of Gout Gout's rising stardom didn't fully hit him until the big leagues came calling.
Just a few weeks following his awe-inspiring performance in December, the news of a lucrative, long-term partnership with Adidas made its way to him, thought to be worth millions of dollars. In conversation with GQ, Gout Gout revealed his initial reaction to the staggering offer presented by his agent, James Templeton.
He explained: "JT told me how much they were willing to pay to get me on their side. It was crazy. The number kept getting higher, and I realised how much these companies think I'm worth.
"But that sponsorship really helps you get to the next level because obviously you need the money to travel and to train. Especially since I'm at school, so I don't need to go and find a job at Maccas or whatever to put fuel in my car. It definitely helps a lot."
Elsewhere in his interview, the emerging sprint star shared a glimpse into his humble nature by discussing his most significant buy after finding fame, and revealing his intentions to support his family. He added: "I've saved a lot and I bought myself a new car when I got my Ps, so that's probably the biggest purchase I've made so far. I haven't gone crazy."
Born to parents Bona and Monica, who fled South Sudan two years before he was born, Gout Gout reflected on his future goals, saying: "Long term, I'd like to set myself up and set my family up," showing how down-to-earth the star is. Although the gifted racer may not be gracing the Olympics just yet, he has already stamped his authority in the realm of short-distance sprints.
He bagged a silver at the 2024 World Championships in Lima for the 200m event and clinched fifth place in the 4x100m relay. The comparisons with Bolt are inevitable, but Gout Gout is focused on carving out his own unique space on the track.
He told Nine last year: "My stride length is pretty long, my knee height is pretty high and just the amount of tallness I get when I'm running. I'm just me trying to be me.
"Obviously, I do run like him. I do sometimes look like him, but obviously, I'm making a name for myself, and I think I've done that pretty well. I just want to continue doing that and continue to be not only Usain Bolt but continue to be Gout Gout."