Gout Gout has been accused of ‘ducking’ the world’s best sprinters ahead of an appearance in an under-23 race.
The bold claim has seen the teenage athlete defended by one of his rivals.
Gout has been accused of ‘ducking’ the world’s best sprintersGetty The teenager is set to appear in an under-23 200m race in MonacoGettyGout is set to head to Europe during an upcoming school holiday as he eyes an appearance at the World Championship in Tokyo.
The Australian will compete in an U23 200m race in Monaco before appearing in Ostrava, Czech Republic.
He is then set to return home ahead of his World Championship debut in September.
However, Gout‘s decision to appear in an age group event rather than an open 200m race has drawn criticism.
American 400m specialist Noah Williams has taken aim at the sprinting sensation.
The former Louisiana State University standout told the Track World News podcast: “The kid is super talented, but that is beside the point.
“The narrative now is that he’s ducking these professional races.”
Gout has since been defended for his decision by fellow Australian Lachlan Kennedy.
Only 21 himself, Kennedy edged out his rival at the Maurie Plant meet in Melbourne earlier this year.
In response to Williams’ comments, he told Fox Sports: “Monaco is a really, really good place to run and he’s only going over Europe during his school holidays.
Williams, far right, took aim at Gout for choosing to compete in an age group raceGetty Images - Getty Kennedy has defended Gout’s choice of appearances whilst in EuropeGetty“He doesn’t really have the luxury of being like me, where I can go to any competition I want in a timeframe. He’s got school to focus on.
“I don’t think they’re doing a 200 in the open, but even if they were, he’s got plenty of time to run against open class.
“Could he run against better competition while he is over there? I’m sure there could be some meets where he could run against better competition.
“But at the end of the day, it’ll still be good competition. It is still a Diamond League pre-meet, so it will still be good competition.
“And it is more about getting the experience of travelling and running overseas for him, where things are different.
“I don’t think necessarily the quality of competition is as important as the experience of the crowd, the people.
“And then he’s doing another 200 metres a couple weeks later in Europe anyway, and he’ll have better competition there.”
Gout is already the Australian and Oceanian record holder in the 200m with a personal best of 20.04 seconds.
The track and field prodigy also holds the under-18 national record in the 100m.
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