Rising Australian sprinters Gout Gout and Torrie Lewis have both missed out on places in the men’s and women’s 200m finals at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The seventeen-year-old, one of the most hyped young athletes in recent memory, finished fourth in his semifinal on Thursday night.
Stay up to date on the latest news with The National Briefing – keeping you in the loop with news as it hits:
Despite falling short, he said the run was just the start of his career.
“I’ve got time..I can compete, at the young age that I am, against the best men in the world,” he said.
The Queenslander’s debut has drawn global attention, with sprint legends Usain Bolt and Carl Lewis among those weighing in.
Lewis advised Gout Gout to be patient, telling Olympics.com: “The biggest thing is don’t rush it …let yourself develop and then, as time comes to you, make those next steps.”
Lewis also finished fourth in her semifinal, rounding out a strong showing for the Australians against the world’s best.
Subscribe to The Briefing, Australia’s fastest-growing news podcast on LiSTNR today. The Briefing serves up the latest news headlines and a deep dive into a topic affecting you. All in under 20 minutes.