While pesky possums run for the hills.
That the two quickest men in Stawell on Monday could not even get to the final would suggest the handicappers had a howler.
John Evans isn’t sure what the bigger achievement will be – telling his kids he won the Stawell Gift,or telling them that the day he did it,he beat Gout Gout.
Twice as many people as last year came just to see the heats. They came to see one person – the man whose name they chanted as he stood on the blocks. This was the day Gout Gout came to the Stawell Gift.
Local businessman Sandy McGregor has also offered to continue to support Gout with training and travel after Stawell.
Another day,another stunning development in Australian sprinting:This time with Gout Gout winning the 200 metres in sub-20 seconds after Lachie Kennedy was disqualified.
Lachlan Kennedy ran the second-fastest time by an Australian ever – 10 seconds flat – a night after Gout Gout got the coveted single-figure time with a tailwind. This is some rivalry.
While not official times,Gout has now broken the 10-second barrier for the 100m. Who knows how fast he might run in his pet event;the 200m.
Lightning doesn’t strike twice,but Gout Gout did. The schoolboy phenomenon broke 10 seconds over 100 metres twice just two hours apart at the national championships in Perth.
The International Olympic Committee has announced the event program for the LA Games in 2028 and there is good news for Australia’s swimmers,golfers and even Gout Gout.