MELBOURNE: Rising sprint star Gout Gout, just 17 years old, has been officially named in Australia’s squad for the World Athletics Championships 2025, set to take place in Tokyo this September.
Born to South Sudanese parents and raised in Queensland, Gout has become one of the most exciting young athletes in Australian track and field. His recent performance in Perth, where he ran a wind-assisted 19.84 seconds to win his first national 200m title, has positioned him as a top prospect for the global stage.
“It’s a huge honor to be selected for the World Championships,” said Gout, speaking through Athletics Australia. “That’s been the goal all season. I can’t wait to compete against the world’s best and test myself at the highest level.”
The teenager’s electrifying speed has earned him comparisons to sprint legend Usain Bolt, and he’s quickly becoming the face of Australian athletics as the nation looks ahead to hosting the Brisbane Olympics in 2032. With his natural talent and charismatic presence, Gout is seen as a future Olympic medal contender.
He leads a strong and youthful lineup of Australian athletes heading to Tokyo. Among them is Cameron Myers, another teenage standout. The 18-year-old claimed the national 1,500m title in Perth and earlier this year clocked the fastest indoor mile by an under-20 athlete, running an impressive 3:47.48 at the prestigious Millrose Games in New York.
Also confirmed in the initial team announcement is former world high jump champion Eleanor Patterson, who secured a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. Patterson will be targeting her sixth medal in major international competitions. She recently won silver at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, where she was narrowly edged out by fellow Australian and world-class high jumper Nicola Olyslagers.
Adding further depth to the team is Peter Bol, a standout in the 800m. Bol made headlines with his fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics and has continued his form into 2025, breaking the national 800m record with a scorching 1:43.79 in Perth.
This first wave of athlete selections signals Australia’s growing confidence and investment in youth development ahead of major events like the World Championships and the Brisbane Games. With talents like Gout Gout and Cameron Myers stepping onto the world stage, the future of Australian athletics looks exceptionally bright.
All eyes will be on Tokyo this September, where these rising stars will look to make their mark and gain valuable experience on the world’s biggest track and field platform.
