Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming World Under-20 Championships after sustaining a hamstring tear during training, sidelining one of track and field's most promising young talents.
The 18-year-old confirmed the injury on Instagram on Thursday, stating: "Unfortunately I suffered an injury to my left hamstring last night at training in Brisbane. I received this morning the MRI report, unfortunately the news is not good and I will not be able to compete in Eugene."
Gout indicated his immediate focus would be on rehabilitation for the tear, with an ambitious target to "come back in 2027 better and stronger and faster."
He added: "I have no other possibility but to accept this situation. I understand this is part of athletics."
His absence is a significant blow to the championships, scheduled for 5-9 August in Eugene, Oregon, where Gout was considered a strong favourite for gold. He had been slated to compete in the 200 metres, an event in which he already holds the Under-20 world record, and was also part of Australia’s 4x400 relay squad.
Athletics Australia emphasised the importance of Gout taking the necessary time to "rehabilitate, recover and return."
The national body added: "Gout has had a phenomenal couple of years, and has a long and exciting athletics career ahead of him."
Gout has rapidly ascended the international athletics ranks, having previously trained with Olympic gold medallist Noah Lyles and setting an international record faster than Usain Bolt achieved at the Under-20 level.
He burst onto the scene while still in high school and in 2024, he set the quickest 200m time ever by a 16-year-old, breaking Australia's long-standing open record with a time of 20.06 seconds.
In April, Gout further cemented his status by winning the Australian title in 19.67 seconds. This performance shaved 0.02 seconds off Erriyon Knighton’s world under-20 mark of 19.69, set in Eugene in 2022, and marked Gout’s first official sub-20-second run, following a wind-assisted 19.84 last season.
AP
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