Justin Gatlin, the former Olympic sprinter, has urged caution against comparing emerging athletes like Australia’s Gout Gout to the legendary Usain Bolt, warning that such comparisons could place undue pressure on young stars. Gatlin, who earned a gold medal in the 100m at the 2004 Athens Olympics, believes that labeling athletes as the “next Bolt” too soon could be detrimental to their development, suggesting that it might lead them to believe they have already reached the peak of their careers.
Gout Gout, just 16 years old, has been one of the standout figures in sprinting recently, especially after his performance at the U20 World Championships. He clocked a remarkable 20.60 seconds in the 200m, a time that was a mere hundredth of a second faster than Usain Bolt’s own record in the same event set in 2002. This performance, along with other feats such as breaking Peter Norman’s Australian 200m record in December 2023, has sparked a wave of comparisons to the Jamaican icon. With this rising star continuing to impress, many have begun to see Gout as Bolt’s successor.
However, Gatlin has emphasized the importance of letting young athletes develop at their own pace without placing the burden of such massive expectations on them. During a discussion on his Ready Set Go podcast, Gatlin said, “Please everybody, stop saying and telling these young athletes ‘you are the next great one, you are the next Bolt, you are the next Allyson Felix or whoever else.’” He highlighted the potential for these athletes to make their own mark on the sport, but cautioned against prematurely anointing them as the next dominant force in sprinting.
One of Gatlin’s primary concerns is the mental and emotional toll that comes with constant comparisons to established legends like Bolt. He pointed out that young athletes, when faced with the pressure of living up to such labels, could crack under the strain. “If everything starts crumbling around them, and then the losses become so much pressure in their heads, they fade away early in their 20s,” he warned. This pressure, according to Gatlin, could lead to promising careers being derailed before they even fully blossom.
The sprinting world has seen numerous promising young athletes rise to prominence, only to fade away under the weight of expectations. By pushing these athletes into the limelight too soon, fans and media might unintentionally hasten their decline. Gatlin stressed the need for fans and coaches to let young sprinters enjoy the process and journey of their careers, without imposing premature comparisons or setting unrealistic goals.
In addition to Gout, American prodigy Quincy Wilson has also been making headlines with his breakthrough performances. Wilson, who was part of the USA’s 4x400m relay team that won gold in the 2024 Olympics, has been showing consistent excellence in the 400m. With such talent emerging in the sport, there’s increased excitement about the future of sprinting. Still, Gatlin’s advice remains relevant in helping guide these young athletes on their individual paths.
While the excitement surrounding prodigies like Gout and Wilson is understandable, Gatlin’s words serve as a reminder that expectations can often be counterproductive. Rather than burdening young sprinters with the pressure to be the next great champion, it’s crucial to allow them the space and time to develop their own unique legacies.
