Usain Bolt has warned Australian teenage sprint sensation Gout Gout that the transition from junior to senior competition is a tough process, despite the 17-year-old's record-breaking performances.
Gout, who has drawn comparisons to the Jamaican legend after a series of fast times, will make his world championships debut in the 200m in Tokyo next week. Some in Australia have already tipped him for gold at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Speaking in Tokyo on Thursday, Bolt said talent alone was not enough. 'It's always easier when you're younger because I was there, I used to do great things when I was young but the transition to senior from junior is always tougher,' he said.
Bolt, who retired in 2017 with eight Olympic and 11 world championship gold medals, noted that he did not make a global impact until age 22. He emphasised the importance of the right coach, support network and focus for Gout's future success.
The 39-year-old added that he welcomed new talent like Gout, saying: 'He's very talented... That's something that you love to see because you want athletes to do well. The more athletes do well, the bigger the sport is.'
