Source : ABC NEWS
Gout Gout has fired a warning shot back at Justin Gatlin for disparaging his national 200 metres record, as he sets his sights on another milestone.
The 18-year-old ran 10.19 seconds (+0.3m/s) in the under-20 men’s 100m heats of the Australian Athletics Junior Championships in Brisbane on Friday.
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He will get a shot in the semis and final on Saturday to become just the third Australian to run under 10 seconds legally.
Patrick Johnson holds the national record of 9.93, which was set in 2003, while Lachie Kennedy twice ran 9.96 at last week’s Australian Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park.
At the same meet, Gout ran 19.67 to win the 200m final and become the first Australian to legally break the 20-second mark over the distance.
It was also an under-20 world record, meaning he had run a quicker time over the half-lap event than Usain Bolt at the same age.
The performance attracted cynicism from 2004 Olympic 100m gold medallist Justin Gatlin, who disparaged Gout’s achievement on home soil.
“You’ve got to do it outside of Australia. Show us you can do it outside Australia. That’s the thing,” Gatlin said earlier this week.
“You can run fast in comfort, everyone can run fast in comfort. But can you run fast in discomfort? That’s where it’s at.
“That’s going to be a challenge for him because he’s so used to running in Australia.”
When asked about Gatlin’s comments, Gout suggested jealousy was a motivation.
“There’s always going to be haters. If there’s haters, it means you are doing something right,” Gout told reporters on Friday.
“It is what it is. I never take it [to heart] so I just keep running. It was pretty fast so that’s probably why they were mad.
“It motivates me to do an even bigger race and run even faster.”
Gout Gout had reason to celebrate in Sydney last Sunday. (AAP: Dean Lewins)
The “bigger race” could come at Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC) on Saturday.
Gout said he was on track to run sub-10 legally and beat his personal best time of 10.00, which he ran in Brisbane in February.
“Hopefully the wind stays pretty calm and anything is possible,” he said.
“It was a good run (on Friday), I definitely saved myself for the semis and finals.
“I pulled a couple of these boys through so it was definitely a good run and I can’t wait to run tomorrow.
“I definitely have more in the tank for sure. Last week was a great run and I’m hoping to continue in these championships as well and put on a bit of a show.”
Gout twice ran 9.99 with illegal tailwinds at last year’s under 20 national titles in Perth.
AAP
