MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Schoolboy sensation Gout Gout is bathing in new-found celebrity and savoring comparisons with Usain Bolt following his eye-catching runs at the Australian schools championships in Brisbane.
The 16-year-old ran the 200 meters in 20.04 seconds in Brisbane on Saturday to break the national record Peter Norman set at the 1968 Olympics.
The son of migrants from war-torn South Sudan, Gout also clocked a blistering 10.04 in the 100 meters heats on Friday in a wind of +3.4, the fourth fastest time in all conditions by an Australian.
Gout’s performances went viral on social media and earned a shout-out from 100m and 200m world-record holder Bolt, who posted on Instagram: “He looks like young me.”
Now the biggest name in Australian athletics while finishing year 11 at high school, Gout said the reaction since the weekend had been overwhelming.
Gout met with Adidas executives in Melbourne on Tuesday, having recently signed a contract with the apparel giant.
He will head to Florida next month to join Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles at a training camp organized by Adidas, which sponsors both athletes.
With Australia set to host the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, the country’s athletics chiefs are thrilled to have a potential track superstar in their midst but are also hoping to temper expectations and ensure Gout can live a normal childhood.