Gout Gout's Olympic Dream Takes Twist After Allegiance Switch
A record holder in the 100-metre and 200-metre sprint is set to challenge Gout Gout ahead of the 2028 Olympics after he completing his transfer of allegiance from New Zealand to Australia.
Eddie Osei-Nketia is now officially eligible to represent Australia on the world stage.
The 24-year-old, who is New Zealand's record holder in the 100-metre (10.08s) and 200-metre (20.24), has made a serious impact at US collegiate level for the University of Southern California (USC).
In fact, after breaking his father's national record by running 10.08 at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon, he set another record in the 200m in May this year, when he ran a 20.24 for USC in an NCAA West preliminary rounds meet in Texas.
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Osei-Nketia wants to help Australia earn medals at elite-level competitions after completing his eligibility switch on Thursday.
"My goal with Australia is to break both the 100-metre and 200-metre record and also help the relay team to not just make the finals — also to earn a medal in the big stage, and with the team I believe it's possible," he said.
Australian Athletics welcomed Osei-Nketia to the team with a statement.
"He has been lighting up Australian tracks for years but Edward Osei-Nketia is now officially eligible to represent Australia on the world stage, successfully completing his transfer of allegiance from New Zealand," they said.
"The 10.08-second man joins the nation’s rising sprinting stocks. This is going to be fun."
Osei-Nketia's move could have a significant impact on the world of sprinting.
He will join Australia's talented group of youngsters, which includes 22-year-old Olympian Lachlan Kennedy, who last year became the second Australian to run sub-10 seconds.
Osei-Nketia will also become teammates with Gout Gout, the 17-year-old who was chosen to represent Australia at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where he became the youngest sprinter ever to feature in a World Championships over 200-metres.
The trio could potentially challenge for medals in the men's 4x100m relay at the 2028 Games.
Gout has set his sights on competing at the next Olympics. “I just want to show the world that I’m Gout and that I’m here to stay, and the Olympics is the best place to do that,” he said back in March.
Australia and Gout Gout could have a real chance of winning gold in the men's 4x100m relay following Osei-Nketia's switch. It's fair to say that would be a dream come true for the teenager.
Jack Kenmare