- The Australian sprinter has only just turned 16
- Already drawing comparisons with Usain Bolt
- Got an insane sponsorship deal
He has only just turned 16, but the Australian sprint superstar, who is said to be better than Usain Bolt, has already become a multi-millionaire.
Teenage sprinter Gout Gout has signed a multi-year deal with Adidas worth more than $6 million.
The contract, which runs until the Olympic Games in Brisbane, was completed during the World Junior Athletics Championships in Peru.
Adidas outbid rivals Nike and Puma to secure the Australian sprinter, whose achievements rival those of Usain Bolt at the same age.
At just 16 years old, Gout has already broken Peter Norman’s 56-year-old Australian 200m record with a time of 20.04 seconds and clocked a wind-assisted 10.04 seconds in the 100m.
These achievements make him one of the most exciting young talents in world athletics.
Gout Gout dominated at the recent Australian All Schools Athletics Championship in Brisbane
Gout Gout is celebrating with his manager James Templeton and coach Di Sheppard
Gout’s manager James Templeton revealed big brands had been chasing him since 2022 when he broke the Australian under-16 200m record.
“Adidas conveyed their desire to secure Gout early on and showed great patience,” Templeton told the Sydney Morning Herald.
The deal will allow Gout to remain in Australia to complete his training, while receiving performance-related bonuses for world and Olympic success.
Adidas’ investment is in line with their strategy to support young talent, as we saw with Usain Bolt in his early years.
Cathy Freeman’s former manager Nic Bideau said it was a gamble, but not a foolish one.
“Companies like Adidas are betting on countless athletes in the hope that some will reach the top,” he said.
The agreement includes opportunities for Gout to train internationally, including with Olympic champion Noah Lyles in Florida.
However, his team prioritized staying in Australia.
Gout Gout has drawn comparisons to Jamaican sprinting GOAT Usain Bolt
“He is a family-oriented, straight-A student at Ipswich Grammar. Moving abroad full-time was not an option,” Templeton said.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has hailed Gout as an “extraordinary talent” but warned of the challenges ahead.
“The transition from junior to senior is the most difficult phase for any athlete,” Coe said.
Sprint legend Michael Johnson echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of managing expectations and maintaining Gout’s health and confidence.
Despite his youth, Gout’s achievements have drawn comparisons to Usain Bolt.
Bolt himself said: ‘He looks like a young me.’
Marketing experts believe Gout’s potential could make him one of Australia’s most marketable athletes, especially with the Brisbane Olympics on the horizon.
Adidas’ deal includes a base salary and incentives for breaking records and achieving podium finishes.
“The real value comes when corporate brands outside of athletics get involved. That’s where the big money is,” said sports business expert Paul Smith.
The signing comes at a time when athletics is looking for stars to captivate global audiences.
“Gout has already brought enormous publicity to the sport,” Templeton said.
Videos of his performances have gone viral and one has been viewed more than two million times.
Former Australian Olympian Patrick Johnson believes Gout has the potential to break his national 100m record of 9.93 seconds.
‘He has incredible potential. The key is to let him enjoy being a kid while being in the spotlight,” Johnson said.
Gout plans to compete in both junior and senior events in 2025, balancing his athletic career with completing Year 12.