Gout Gout has taken the athletics world by storm over the last 12 months and the 17-year-old has a strong bond with Olympic champion Noah Lyles, who has a nickname for his young friend
Noah Lyles has taken the prodigious Gout Gout under his wing as he affectionately uses the nickname “Little Bro” for the 17-year-old sprinting sensation. The Australian teenager has been making waves in the athletics world, surpassing records once held by the legendary Usain Bolt.
His prowess was on full display last year when he clinched silver in the 200m at the Under-20 World Championships. Now, with an eye on the senior World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September, Gout is set to represent Australia after shattering the Oceanian record and breaking a longstanding national record.
He has already developed a close friendship with Olympic 100m gold medallist Lyles, as the pair have trained together and keep in touch online. Lyles even has an affectionate nickname for his fellow athlete, who is a decade younger than him.
Speaking to FOX Sports Australia, Gout revealed: “He calls me ‘Little Bro’ so we definitely have a great connection. Obviously, I gave him a nudge.
“I said in the podcast (Gout appeared on Lyles’ podcast earlier this year), I told him I’d be running up his a**, for sure.
“It’s definitely great. He messages me occasionally and I tell him ‘Congratulations’ and stuff like that. He’s a great guy”
Lyles has been sharing some tips with Gout, even though they might soon be head-to-head competitors on the track. While appearing on Foxtel’s The Back Page, Gout said: “Some of it is definitely physical. I’m still a teenager and haven’t grown into my body yet.
“Still getting my grown man’s strength, as Noah would say, and just working on those little aspects, a couple of things at the start, gaining power and strength. Those little things really take you to the next level.”
Gout doesn’t shy away from his ambitious goals to conquer the sprint world like Bolt did in the late 2000s and early 2010s. He said: “The goal is winning the Olympics and winning the World Championships.
“Honestly, dominating like Bolt did. I think that limit is reachable for me.” As he looks ahead, the teenager’s eyes are set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2032 Games planned for his hometown, Brisbane.
Gout added: “The times I’ve run so far could potentially make it into finals, make the top four, top five, top six. Just getting better and aiming for LA obviously would be a great achievement.
“And trying to be on that podium running against [Letsile] Tebogo, Noah, [Lachlan] Kennedy, all them athletes. That’s definitely a goal in mind and keep aiming for the top.”
