Why teenage track sprinter Gout Gout knows he is Australian athletics’ next big thing – as comparisons to Olympic legend Usain Bolt continue by the day

At just 16, Aussie sprint sensation Gout Gout knows he is the centre of attention most places he goes.

Constant comparisons to Jamaican sporting great Usain Bolt would be intimidating for many teenagers – but not the confident student from Ipswich Grammar in Brisbane.

Gout is happy to take everything in his stride – literally – and see just how far the sport takes him.

Already sponsored by Adidas, the son of South Sudanese immigrants Monica and Bona Gout finished second in the 200m final at the World Under-20 Championships in Lima back in August.

The flyer was racing athletes up to two years older, and he scorched across the track to record a sizzling personal best time of 20.60.

He has also previously recorded a 10.20 over 100m – and is adamant he can break the 10 second barrier.

Gout’s coach Di Sheppard believes the son of two South Sudanese immigrants could be an Olympic champion in the 100m and 200m like his idol Usain Bolt

Eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt is widely considered the greatest sprinter of all time

The last Australia to do so was Patrick Johnson back in 2003, who clocked 9.93 at a meet in Japan.

Gout has declared a time of sub 10 will ‘definitely happen’ – and given he has started beating junior records of Olympic icon Bolt, it is hard to argue.

His coach Di Sheppard – who discovered him when Gout was a year 7 student – is just as confident.

‘We talk about it because to us it’s a given (that he breaks 10 seconds),’ she told News Corp.

‘When it happens it happens, and it could happen early….because everything’s happening sooner than we expected.’

Come the Brisbane Olympics in 2032, Gout will be 24 – and Sheppard believes he can do the 100m/200m double on the world’s biggest stage.

When it comes to Bolt, Gout is determined to be himself, but given his similar style on the track, he knows comparisons are inevitable. 

In January, Gout and Sheppard are travelling to the US for a training stint with Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles, who is based in Orlando.

The primary aim will be watching Lyles in the flesh, and learning how to deal with the considerable hype which is certain to follow over the next few years.

Australia had its iconic Cathy Freeman moment at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 – what price of history repeating itself with Gout in Brisbane come 2032?