Sprint Prodigy Gout Gout Lands 60 Minutes Spotlight with Coach Sheppard

Sprint sensation Gout Gout has joined Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman as a featured subject on the US current affairs program 60 Minutes.

The 18-year-old received a 13-minute segment this week, interviewed by Sports Illustrated writer Jon Wertheim. Wertheim also spoke with Gout's coach, Di Sheppard. The program draws audiences of more than 10 million Americans and spotlighted Gout's rise after he became the fastest teenager to run 200m last month in Sydney.

The story spread widely online and caught the eye of the athletics community. Jonathan Gault, a writer for Lets Run, posted on X: "Can’t remember many track athletes receiving the 60 Minutes treatment. Great feature from last night on Gout Gout."

The segment explored the relationship between Sheppard and Gout. The teenager said it might look odd from the outside but insisted it works well.

"The old white lady and the young black kid, you know," Gout said. "It’s a crazy dynamic but turns out it works perfectly. I wouldn’t have it any other way."

Sheppard joked that the only tension might come if a girlfriend she disliked distracted him. "I’d go to [Gout’s] mum, ‘She’s got to go!’" she said.

One Instagram commenter called their relationship "movie worthy." The top comment on a Reddit post about the episode read: "Gout Gout will be the face of sprinting for a long time. I’m really excited to see what he can do in his prime."

Some American online reactions questioned whether Gout must leave Australia to fulfill his potential.

The appearance builds hype for Gout's international season, starting next month with a 150m race against Noah Lyles in the Czech Republic.

This year, Gout targets gold at the World Juniors in August. He confirmed Tuesday he will skip the 100m to focus on the 200m, his specialty, and join Australia's 4x400m relay team on the final day if they reach the final.

"I’m really excited to get out there at World Athletics Under 20s in Eugene, Oregon," Gout said. "I know it’s a great stadium and place to run fast, and I feel confident I’ll be ready to step up and make Australia proud."

"I’ll be competing in the 200m but I’m also excited to join in the 4x400m on the last day."

Other Australians on 60 Minutes in recent years include Baz Luhrmann and Sarah Snook. Texas-born AFL player Mason Cox appeared in 2023 and noted the program's reach on Twitter: "Why is tomorrow’s episode on 60 Minutes such a big deal? Their audience is 13 million. Australian population is 25 million. This exposure for AFL has never [had] a bigger audience."