‘Heartbreaking’: Ugly Gout Gout storm erupts as history ruined

Teen sprint sensation Gout Gout’s historic day has been ruined by a “disgusting” twist that has caused widespread outrage.

Teen sprint sensation Gout Gout’s historic day has been ruined by a “disgusting” cyber storm of ugly comments.

The Aussie track star blew the world away with back-to-back freakish runs at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships where he wrote himself into history by breaking Peter Norman’s 56-year 200m record on Saturday

His run of 20.04 is the second fastest by an under-18 runner in history, beaten only by American Erriyon Knighton, who ran 19.84 in 2021. Senior men’s world record holder Usain Bolt’s best under-18s time of 20.13 has now been bumped to third all-time.

Gout’s achievement dropped jaws around the world with some athletics commentators left “speechless”.

The athlete himself, was also all smiles as he explained his low key celebration plans.

“I just go home and sleep — I eat food and I just chill with my friends and my family,” he said.

That special day has now been tarnished somewhat by a flurry of racist comments.

Some X users shared ugly comments on Saturday night with claims the athlete should not be referred to as “Australian”.

Gout, the son of South Sudan couple Monica and Bona Gout, was born and raised in Ipswich, Queensland.

He is still a student at Ipswich Grammar.

Gout Gout is in a league of his own. Photo: Athletics Australia and Cameron Spencer Getty.

Despite this humble Aussie upbringing, his Australian passport, Australian birth certificate and approval under the World Athletics eligibility rules — one angle swirling on social media is that he should not be representing Australia.

Aussie athletics commentator Tim Rosen, who shared a viral video of Gout’s run with more than two million views, said he was forced to delete a post because of racist comments he was sent.

Other X users were equally upset at seeing the racist comments.

“The racist replies on pretty much every post celebrating Gout Gout’s national record are disgusting,” one X user posted.

Another wrote: “Replies to this are disgusting. Gout Gout was born here and never lived overseas, he’s an Aussie and this should be celebrated.

“Doesn’t matter his folks weren’t born here.”

One user pointed out Aussie Test batsman Marnus Labuschagne was born in South Africa and only moved to Australia at the age of 10.

“Gout Gout (born in Ipswich) is more Australian than Marnus Labuschagne (born in South Africa),” the person posted.

One wrote: “It is heartbreaking that Aussie born 16 year old schoolboy #GoutGout is the subject of so many abhorrent racist comments.

“Do better. Celebrate this young Aussie’s athletic potential.”

Gout Gout has done it. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Australian human rights activist Drew Pavlou also posted: “Gout Gout was born in Australia, lived in Australia his entire life. It’s the only country he’s ever known.

“He’s got an Australian accent, he competes under the Australian flag. His development as an athlete took place completely in Australia. He’s Australian and we claim him.”

That came after a number of ugly comments, which included suggestions Gout is only a “paper Australian”.

“Not an Australian. He is Sudanese,” one X user posted.

Another wrote: “No, “Gout Gout” is not Australian, no matter how fast he runs”.

One wrote: “Pathetic that Australian’s try to claim him just because he’s successful.

“Should not be here.”

Many people, however chose to focus on Gout’s run, which would have been fast enough for him to finish sixth in the Olympic final.

Commentator Mitch Dyer was losing his mind in the commentary booth.

“He is Gout of this world, 20.07, that is not human,” Dyer said before the adjustment.

“That is ridiculous.”

Gout also pointed to his name, saying: “Remember it.”

The commentators also called for fans to “buy stocks now” as well as suggesting he might be running in the Diamond League as early as next year.

Gout Gout doesn’t turn 17 until late December.

Speaking with media after the run Gout was chuffed to write his name into Australian athletics history.

Gout Gout with his manager James Templeton and coach Di Sheppard. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“It’s definitely great,” he said of breaking the 56-year mark. “I’ve been chasing that record but I didn’t think it would come this year. I thought maybe it would happen next year or the year after, so to get it now is definitely a great achievement for sure.

“It’s pretty crazy (breaking Australia’s longest held athletics record). Right now, I can’t really process it but tonight when I got home to bed and think about it, it’ll be pretty crazy for sure.”

It’s been an incredible meet for Gout after he ran the fourth fastest under-18s 100m time in history in a blistering heat time of 10.04 on Friday, the fifth fastest time by an Australian in history in any conditions.

But because of the tailwind, it won’t go into the record books.

However, his time of 10.17 in the final was good enough to break the Australian and Oceania under-18s record, beating current Australian champion Sebastian Sultana’s previous record of 10.27, as he claimed the national title.

The year 11 student also revealed he would be heading to the US in January to train with Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles and his coach Lance Brauman in a bid to qualify for the Tokyo World Championships.

Originally published as ‘Heartbreaking’: Ugly Gout Gout storm erupts as history ruined