The Stawell Gift, Australia's most prestigious footrace, is on the brink of making history due to the remarkable talent of 17-year-old sprinting sensation Gout Gout. Organizers are considering breaking a 148-year tradition to accommodate Gout, whose blistering pace has generated global attention and led to a significant increase in ticket sales for the Easter classic.
For the first time in the event's long history, officials might install crash bags at the finish line to protect athletes like Gout and his rival Lachlan Kennedy. This decision comes as a response to the safety concerns posed by the tight finishing area at Central Park, especially for backmarkers who are on the inside lane. "There is talk of a crash bag but I don't think we're going to need it," said Trent Taylor, Stawell Gift spokesman. "We're just putting all these contingencies in place in case they actually need them."
Gout and Kennedy are set to inspect the track in a closed training session on Friday night, April 18, 2025, to assess whether the bags will be required. Taylor confirmed that a final decision would be made after the session, stating, "I think they're going to be fine, but we've got solutions which we don't think we will need." The Stawell Gift has already seen a remarkable 30 percent spike in ticket sales, with over 6,000 spectators expected on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, more than double last year's attendance.
Prominent businessman Sandy McGregor, owner of Melbourne Cup winner Prince of Penzance, has personally financed Gout's visit to Stawell. McGregor has also ensured that Gout will make an appearance at the Stawell Gold Cup race meeting on Sunday, April 20, 2025. Gout's duties at the track will include presenting the Don Murphy Cup, an egg-and-spoon race for kids. "We've never seen this level of interest before," Taylor remarked. "The locals don't always come to the Gift, but I think he's definitely shifted the needle on local engagement."
Gout shot to fame after his jaw-dropping performances at the Australian Championships last weekend, where he ran the 100m in 9.99 seconds twice and the 200m in 19.84 seconds, albeit with slightly illegal tailwinds. Although wind-assisted, these times turned heads around the world and cemented his place as the future of Australian sprinting. "These are the steps you take to the top, and the steps I have to take to potentially become a world champion or an Olympic champion," Gout stated.
Born in 2007 to South Sudanese parents who migrated to Australia in 2005, Gout grew up in Ipswich, Queensland. He was quickly identified by coach Diane Sheppard as a special talent. At just 13, he dominated local school races, and since then, he has collected gold medals and smashed age-group records across the country. In December 2024, he ran 20.04 in the 200m at the Australian All Schools Championships, breaking Usain Bolt's under-16 record and becoming the second-fastest under-18 sprinter in history.
Despite his meteoric rise, Gout has remained grounded. "My biggest thing with the kids is about being humble, and he has got it in bucket loads," Sheppard remarked. This year alone, Gout shattered the Australian U18 100m record with a time of 10.17 seconds and remains focused on officially cracking sub-10 and sub-20 times.
Meanwhile, Kennedy is also in electric form, clocking 10.00 seconds in his heat last weekend and narrowly losing to Rohan Browning in the 100m final by just 0.005 seconds. The rivalry between Gout and Kennedy is becoming one of the most compelling narratives in Australian athletics. "I think he (Gout) has definitely brought new eyes to the sport," Taylor said. "Sandy is bringing his business partners, industry leaders from his network... there are going to be a whole bunch more people who are going to see it for the first time because of Gout."
As the Stawell Gift approaches, anticipation continues to build. With the heats scheduled for Saturday, April 19, 2025, and the semi-finals and finals set to take place on Easter Monday, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown. The potential historic changes to accommodate Gout Gout reflect not just the athlete's extraordinary talent but also the evolution of the sport itself.
In a sport steeped in tradition, the willingness to adapt and innovate speaks volumes about the excitement surrounding Gout Gout. Whether the crash bags become a reality or not, one thing is clear: Gout's presence at the Stawell Gift has already made a significant impact, drawing attention and enthusiasm that the event hasn't seen in years. Fans and newcomers alike will be eager to witness this rising star in action, as he aims to make history in a race that has captivated audiences for nearly a century and a half.
