Australian sprint prospect Gout Gout has withdrawn from the World Athletics Under-20 Championships, with Australian Athletics confirming the teenager will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a hamstring injury.
In a statement, the federation said it was sending its backing to Gout Gout following his announcement that the injury would rule him out of the Under-20 championships in the USA next August. “Australian Athletics sends its support to Gout Gout following his announcement today that a hamstring injury will prevent him from competing in the World Athletics U20 Championships in the USA in August,” it said.
The 18-year-old had previously opted to skip the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, choosing instead to concentrate on the Under-20 event scheduled for Eugene, Oregon.
Reports indicate Gout tore his left hamstring during training in Brisbane, and has now decided against further competition this year.
Australian Athletics added that although the setback is disappointing, “it is important that he takes the time to rehabilitate, recover and return to the track to compete when he is ready”.
Earlier this year, Gout produced a 19.67-second run in April to establish a world Under-20 record for the 200 metres at the Australian championships. He has also been viewed as a future challenger to Usain Bolt’s senior mark of 19.19 seconds over the distance.
