If there is a most talked-about teen sprinter right now, it would be Gout Gout. At just 16, he’s touted to be the next Usain Bolt, and that’s something, right? No wonder, all the gaze is on him as he makes his Diamond League debut in Monaco shortly. But, while this is a highly awaited sight, there are also a few questions arising about it. Did Gout Gout just evade Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo in his decision to run at Monaco? Well, this fan debate has really picked up steam before the event! Why so?

Well, here’s how it’s going to work. All three phenoms, Gout Gout, Noah Lyles, and Letsile Tebogo, are going to be running the 200m race at the Monaco Diamond League 2025. But you won’t get to see them on the same start line. That’s because Gout Gout has entered the U23 200m race at Monaco this weekend. Whereas, Lyles and Tebogo would face each other in the open 200m! Now this is what isn’t settling well with the fans. Their argument?

Well, on July 11, Coach Rob Track and Field added a video on YouTube, weighing in on this dynamic. The video titled, “Is Gout Gout making a HUGE Mistake in Monaco? Is he AFRAID of Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo?” details why this decision feels unsettling. The main reason is that Gout Gout has already turned professional and is going to be at the World Championships in September. In fact, he has also raced against pros at the Continental World Tour this year and even won. So why didn’t he get a shot at racing Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo? What pulled him back?

Well, this is an unclear aspect that truly had the fans talking. And some sounded frustrated, “Gout has a pro contract, he should be racing the pro’s! This is sprinting, it’s not combat sports, he’s not going to get hurt competing against guys older and more developed than him,” said one of the fans. They even pointed out how this could have been a win-win situation, had he pulled off an upset victory against Noah Lyles or Tebogo, as that would have opened floodgates for endorsement deals.

Now this expectation isn’t unreasonable after all. Because the teen has set a reputation to live up to. He has broken the Australian senior 200m record in 20.02 seconds at the Ostrava Golden Spike 2025, as well as the U16 200m World Record that was previously held by Usain Bolt. These accolades have led even the world’s fastest man alive, Bolt, to comment, “looks like young me.” He has clearly set the standard really high. So, it’s natural for fans to expect that he would take on Lyles and Tebogo when given a chance.

Gout Gout has the fans wondering…

Under Coach Rob’s video, one of the fans opined that this decision seems unsettling, “Because other phenoms like Knighton, Miller, Walaza, Bromell, and these guys when signed pro went to run with pros immediately. I believe it’s ultimately going to stunt him in some way heading into the WC.” Well, Coach Rob opined too, that had Gout Gout ran the open 200 at the Monaco Diamond League, he would be able to test himself better since in these races, the stakes are non-existent. Compared to the world, where it actually matters. So, he just seems to have devoid himself of a golden chance to be on the same tracks as Noah Lyles and Letstile Tebogo.

Whereas another fan came bearing a reason. He opined, “I’m Aussie and I asked this question a few times, why Gout Gout doesn’t race against the best yet, and I got the same answer. They told me it’s because Gout Gout still has School to finish and he can’t fully commit to training until he finishes school. So his Coach doesn’t want to race him against the Men until he’s ready.” 

Well, it is a fact that when the teen goes out there to race the pro men, he might have to take a few hits. Now, this is uncertain if the hits demotivate him or fuel him to get faster. However, can one tell until they let it happen? Thus, another fan added, “His team puts him in baby races to make him win easily. They are doing him a disservice.”

Well, if you look at the Australians’ win streak, he has just lost one 200m race this year, coming second at the Maurie Plan Meet, 2025. Interestingly, this is the same event where he registered his last 200m podium miss in 2024. Yes, since then, he has always made it to the 200m podium.

Yet, one of the fans chimed in with an opinion that, “Gout won’t race pros because he’s trying to build his brand, when he races inferior competition and gaps them it goes viral. People outside of the sport just see his age and the outrageous margins he wins by without fully understanding the context.” They further suggested, “I can’t say I blame him because it’s great for publicity but if he’s taking the sport seriously he needs to run with the best.” 

But some felt this was way too much pressure on a teenager. Thus, one of them defended the Australian sprinter, saying, “You guys are annoying, stop bullying this kid. He is 17 years old. Leave him alone.” Well, stars like Letsile Tebogo himself have thrown their weight behind him at times. Tebogo once said that he could be one of the best; he could be in the history books if he continues with the hunger.

So, what do you think about this? Should he have entered the open 200 or stuck to the U23 event? Let us know your opinion below!