World Athletics has formally ratified Gout Gout's 19.67-second run in the 200m final at the Australian Championships in April, confirming the time as the World Under-20 record. The decision dismisses scepticism from some observers who questioned the validity of the performance due to strong winds and fast times across the field.
The 18-year-old Australian sprinter set the record on a windy afternoon in Sydney, with a wind reading of 1.7 metres per second, just inside the legal limit of 2. Runner-up Aidan Murphy also impressed with 19.88 seconds, the second-fastest time in Australian history, and the first seven finishers all recorded personal bests.
World Athletics announced the ratification on Tuesday, stating: 'Australian sprinter Gout stormed to his world U20 200m record of 19.67 when retaining his title at the Australian Championships in Sydney on 12 April.' The time shaved 0.02 seconds off the previous record of 19.69 set by Erriyon Knighton in 2022.
Knighton's 19.49-second run in 2022 was never ratified due to anti-doping testing requirements not being met. He was later banned for four years for doping in 2025. Gout's ratified record now officially replaces Knighton's 19.69 as the world U20 best.
Gout is scheduled to race against Noah Lyles in a 150m event in Czechia on 16 June.
