American sprint star Noah Williams slams Gout Gout for ‘soft’ move ahead of Diamond League debut
Teen track star Gout Gout has been called ‘soft’ by American sprinter Noah Williams just days before his highly anticipated Diamon League debut.
Gout, 17, will take part in the Under-23 200m event in the Diamond League in Monaco on July 11.
His decision not to compete in the open category is not one that Williams respects.
‘That’s (the decision to not run in the open event) really, really just soft,’ Williams explained on the Track World News podcast.
‘The kid is super talented, but that’s beside the point … the narrative now is he’s ducking these professional races.’
It’s believed that the schoolboy is planning to focus on the 200m for the time being as he develops into his body.
Gout will take part in the Under-23 200m event in the Diamond League in Monaco on July 11
Noah Williams (pictured) says Gout’s decision to not to compete in the open category is not one that Williams respects
Earlier in the month, Gout said believes he can emulate his hero Usain Bolt, who won eight Olympic gold medals in his unmatched career on the track.
‘I think the limit is just obviously winning Olympics and winning world championships and honestly dominating like Bolt did,’ Gout told Fox Sports’ The Back Page.
‘I think that limit is reachable for me.’
In the lead up to the Brisbane Games in 2032, the pressure for Gout to deliver at his home Olympics – should he qualify – will be immense.
But Gout believes he can first leave an impression at the LA Games come 2028.
‘The times I’ve run so far could potentially make it into finals, make the top four, top five, top six,’ he said.
‘Just getting better and aiming for LA obviously would be a great achievement and trying to be on that podium running against (Olympic 200m gold medallist Letsile) Tebogo, Noah (Lyles), (Lachlan) Kennedy, all them athletes.
‘That’s definitely a goal of mine and to keep aiming for the top.’
The teenager firmly believes he can eventually emulate his hero Usain Bolt
Gout’s times are incredible given his age and the fact he is still maturing physically.
His PB in the 100m is a wind-assisted 9.99 seconds, not far off Bolt’s jaw-dropping world record of 9.58 seconds set in 2009.
The youngster also firmly believes he can eventually eclipse Bolt’s 19.19 run in the 200m, which is his favourite event.
Having clocked a wind-assisted 19.84 over 200m at the Australian Athletics Championships in April shows the hype around Gout is justified.
