Gout Gout’s coach makes cheeky girlfriend threat: ‘She’s gotta go’

Gout Gout’s coach has opened up on their unique relationship as he continues to smash sprinting records.

The 18-year-old has been working with Di Sheppard his entire track career having been invited to athletics training by her as a schoolboy.

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They have since formed a formidable partnership which has seen Gout compared to Usain Bolt by fans and pundits.

The Australian already holds the Oceanian record in the 200m as well as the under-20 world record in the distance.

His historic time of 19.67 seconds came in Sydney just last month.

Gout and Sheppard have now lifted the lid on their partnership as part of a new TV appearance.

The pair spoke to American broadcaster CBS for an upcoming feature on 60 Minutes. As part of the interview, Sheppard revealed how she would react if Gout had a girlfriend she was not fond of.

When asked if she is worried about the money and fame starting to follow him, she said: “I think the only time we’ll have trouble is if it’s a girl that I don’t like.”

As she began to laugh, she added: I’d go to (Gout’s) mum, ‘She’s gotta go!’”

Gout on his coaching dynamic

Gout also discussed their first time meeting when Sheppard approached him to attend training at school.

He recalled: “People would be scared of because she’s ‘cranky’, people say.

“Me being a 12 or 13-year-old kid, I’m like, ‘Am I getting in trouble? What’s going on?’

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“She calls me over and she’s like, ‘You should come to track and field training.’”

As for their relationship, Gout added: “It’s a pretty crazy dynamic when you think about it. The old white lady and the young black kid.

“It’s a crazy dynamic but turns out it works perfectly and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s straight out of a movie. Our personalities filter off each other. It’s a great relationship.”

As well as his 200m records, Gout’s 100m personal best is also the current Under-20 continental record at 10.00 seconds.

Gout rose to prominence after winning silver in the 200m at the World Athletics Under-20 Championship in 2024.

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His World Athletics Championship debut followed in Tokyo last year, where he finished 18th overall having missed out on a place in the final.