‘If you have haters you’re doing something right’: Gout Gout laughs off US barbs in 10-second bid
It simply made the rising star offer a small laugh when asked about the criticism following his heat, as he challenged the “haters” to continue firing his way.
“There are always going to be haters, if you’ve got haters it means you’re doing something right,” Gout said.
“It is what it is, I never take it [to heart], I just keep running, and obviously, it was pretty fast so that’s maybe why they were a bit mad. It motivates me to do it in even bigger races, for sure.”
Gout will enter Saturday’s semi-final as the firm favourite to clinch the title, having had the gauntlet thrown down at him by Kennedy.
Kennedy twice broke the 10-second barrier in Sydney last week, but the 18-year-old Gout has ensured their blossoming rivalry is only just heating up with his promising heat run, as they each seek to build towards securing the country’s first Olympic sprinting gold medal in Los Angeles 2028.
But the scary thing, as Gout ominously warned after cruising to his win in the under-20s division, was this was just the beginning, as he plots a greater boilover in Saturday’s finals at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre.
“I definitely have more in the tank. Last week was a great run, and I’m hoping to keep the same ambition [in Brisbane],” Gout said.
“Hopefully, the wind stays pretty calm, and anything’s possible. The body is feeling fine, I just did recovery this week getting ready for this week.
“It was a good run, definitely saved myself for finals. I can’t wait for tomorrow.”
The 100-metre semi-finals will begin from midday on Saturday, with the final expected to follow at 2.20pm.
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