Huge bid made to lure Gout Gout to take part in iconic football event
One of the world's most unique sports has made a bold bid to lure Gout Gout to take part in its legendary 'Grand Final Sprint'.
The event, first held back in 1979, is a 100m sprint between AFL (Australian Football League) players not competing in the Grand Final during the showpiece half time event.
One player is usually nominated from each team, but CODE Sports reports that the AFL is keen to see the 17-year-old take part in this year’s sprint. Gout is next in action at the Monaco Diamond League on Friday (11 July), where he’ll compete in an U23 200m race.
The Australian runner has drawn comparisons to legendary sprinter Usain Bolt owing to his speed and physique, which Bolt himself acknowledges.
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On the comparisons, Gout last month said: “It definitely feels great, I’ve heard that a lot of sprinters run here really good. I know Usain Bolt ran here nine times, so the event clearly has a great tradition.
“Who doesn’t want to be Usain Bolt? Being compared to Usain Bolt feels great but I would like to put my personality in the upcoming story.”
This year’s Grand Final takes place on 27 September, shortly after Gout will hope to run in the Athletics World Championship in Tokyo, where he is expected to partake in the 100m event, so the timings could work.
AFL won't comment on Gout speculation
AFL spokesperson Jay Allen refused to comment directly on whether Gout has been approached to take part in the Grand Final Sprint, but did acknowledge they are always looking for ways to drum up interest in the event.
“The Grand Final Sprint is a favourite tradition of the day and we are always looking at ways to amplify the race and the public interest in it,” Allen said.
“We will make any announcements closer to the Toyota AFL Grand Final.”
Collingwood currently lead the AFL with 56 points from the opening 16 matches, winning 14 and drawing two.
Brisbane are currently second with 46 points, while Adelaide, Geelong and Hawthorn all have 44 points each.
Brisbane won last year’s AFL Grand Final, beating Sydney by 120 points to 60 and will be out to defend their crown this year.
Gout out to emulate Bolt
Gout broke onto the scene at a meet in 2020 and last December broke Peter Norman’s 200m record of 20.06 seconds, a record that had stood since 1968.
Gout narrowly edged Norman’s record at the Australian All Schools Championship, completing the 200m in 20.04 seconds.
He then broke the same record last month by running the 200m in 20.02 seconds in the Czech Republic last month.
Gout is yet to record a legal time under 20 seconds, which Bolt recorded shortly before his 18th birthday with a 19.93 in Bermuda.
Topics: AFL, Athletics, Usain Bolt, Gout Gout
Ben McAleer