Gout Gout makes difficult Commonwealth Games decision as Noah Lyles plan emerges

Aussie sprint sensation Gout Gout has made the difficult decision to skip the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with the 16-year-old prioritising the world juniors. Gout burst onto the world stage by claiming the silver medal in the 200m at the world junior championships in Peru in August in a blistering time of 20.60.

But the sprint phenom smashed that time at the All Schools Queensland track and field championships last weekend, running a scorching heat in 20.29 secs to move him within sight of Usain Bolt's record time of 20.13 as a 16-year-old. The run saw Gout break a multitude of records including a Queensland Open 200m record, Australian U18 and U20 records, plus Oceania U18 and U20 records. The young Ipswich Grammar School sprint sensation then followed it up with another fast time of 10.31 seconds in the 100m on Saturday's final.

The 16-year-old's recent displays have sent tongues wagging and led many to believe he could medal for Australia at the upcoming Commonwealth Games. But the young sprinter's manager James Templeton said Gout won't compete at the upcoming Games, instead opting to compete against his age group at the World Juniors.

"2026 will be a great year, and the big event for him is the World Juniors," Templeton told the ABC Sport Daily podcast this week. "He broke through to an extent this year and the 2026 version in Eugene, Oregon, and that'll be a wonderful event.

"Unfortunately it clashes with the Commonwealth Games — the Commonwealth hasn't quite looked at the calendar in the way that we look at the calendar — so we're going to have to make a choice between the two.

"At this stage, it looks like the World Juniors are going to be our priority, which is bitterly disappointing. As Australians, the Commonwealth Games are something that we love and are very high profile but, if given a choice between the two, I think the World Juniors will win out. It's seen as the gateway for young athletes. World Juniors is massive in our sport."

Keeping a lid on the hype is difficult with an athlete like Gout but his team are intent on slowing his ascent so he can properly progress through the ranks. Although Templeton is confident the teenager is bound for greatness. "Having seen a lot of great young athletes and sprinters over the years, I'm firmly convinced he has that something a little bit special to kick through to the very highest levels," he said.

"It's great watching him run. He's got that flow and rhythm which is just mesmerising. Watching him come off the bend and in that last 50-60 metres, it's very special."

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Gout Gout set to team up with Noah Lyles

Gout was born in Brisbane in 2007 after his parents emigrated from South Sudan. And Gout now owns the Australian under-16, under-18 and under-20 records in the 200m, as well as the under-16 record in the 100m with a personal best in the 100m of 10.29 secs.

And in a bid to further his development Gout is set to head over to the US to train with the world's fastest man Noah Lyles. "We have the opportunity to go to Florida and join the training group of Noah Lyles and (coach) Lance Brauman. There's about 16 or 18 top sprinters there," Templeton said.

"We'll be heading over for two or three weeks. That'll be a great opportunity, a wonderful educational experience. I haven't heard from Noah, but he's a great guy and I'm sure he'll be happy to take the younger guy under his wing a little bit."