Fans rage as US athletics website mocks Gout Gout after young star’s world championships exit

An American athletics media outlet is under fire after they brutally mocked young Aussie sprinter Gout Gout following his exit from the world championships on Thursday night.

Bidding to become the youngest 200m world championships finalist of all time, Gout finished fourth in his semi in 20.36 seconds on a wet evening in Tokyo, and failed to progress.

US athletics website Citius Mag then decided to mock the teenager on social media, posting a picture of the 17-year-old and writing “OUT OUT”, with a shock emoji face.

“Gout Gout fails to make it out of the semi-finals of the World Athletics Championships after finishing fourth in his heat in 20.36,” the social media account bluntly wrote.

The post was in stark contrast to their treatment of 16-year-old Cooper Lutkenhaus, the US 800m runner who also debuted at the world champs.

And fans were outraged, venting on Citius Mag who eventually got around to deleting the post.

“I personally find it in poor taste to make a joke at the expense of a 17-year-old who’s had immense pressure placed on him and still managed to put together two strong runs in his first senior championship,” one fan wrote.

“I never saw this with Cooper Lutkenhaus. In fact, the headline you guys used there was, ‘The fairytale ride comes to an end’. Do better and be consistent.”

And another: “Agree, found the headline distasteful and unless I missed it, Citius Mag hasn’t apologised (they deleted the tweet tho).”

“Absolutely, gutless and lazy comment,” another fan raged while another screamed, “Tasteless!!!”

Support for Gout also followed.

“Thank you for speaking up for our future star,the youth is our future and we have to take care of them and build them up. Future is bright with Gout, Walaza and Lutkenhaus,” one fan said.

And another: “Assuming this is about Gout, was a distasteful post especially to make fun of his name and situation. Citius needs to worry about their own American athletes like Lindsey and Gregory who didn’t make the final ... not a 17yo.”

And another: “Laugh while you can. This young man is next.”

There were also calls to block Citius Mag.

“Let’s all block citius mag,” one fan wrote.

And another: “I already unfollowed and unsubscribed until an apology.”

As for Gout, he is supremely confident he can turn an impressive global championships debut into so much more.

And quickly.

The 17-year-old would need to have clocked 19.98 or better to book a spot in Friday’s title race where his friend and mentor Noah Lyles will be a hot favourite to win a fourth straight world title.

Lyles clocked a sizzling time of 19.51 in the semis.

But the American is at the height of his physical powers at the age of 28.

Gout is a lean-framed schoolboy — albeit a ridiculously talented one.

“The biggest eye-opener is knowing that I can compete at a young age against the best men in the world,” Gout said.

“It definitely makes me hungry, knowing that I’m just a kid right now, but knowing that I can compete as a kid.

“And the thing I have on them is time.

“They may not have 15 years ... but I’ve got 15 years.

“I know that if I can do this at 17, then I can do this at 25 and I’ll be even better at 25.”

He’ll be much bigger by then too.

“I can definitely compete with a skinny frame, but getting bigger is one of the things that’s going to help me, especially with my blocks start,” he said.

“Knowing that I can get that strength and execute my race plan even better and get faster times.”

Gout had not shied away from his aim to become the first Australian to break the 20-second barrier in the 200m in Tokyo.

His best time was the 20.23 he clocked in the opening round, quite a way shy of the national record of 20.02 he set earlier this year.

“I’m always hard on myself and obviously I didn’t do sub-20,” he said.

“That wasn’t in God’s plans today but I know that I will do it in the future.

“It’s just a matter of executing the race plan and doing it at a good meet.

“I know it will happen and I can’t wait.”

- With AAP