Gout Gout intends to run for gold at Commonwealth Games in Glasgow
The major competition will take place in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2 next year and be broadcast exclusively live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.
Gout has taken the sprinting world by storm with his freakish talents, and next year's Games will be the biggest event of his budding career.
It's unclear which event the 17-year-old is planning to run, but he is expected to compete before going to the World Junior Championships in Oregon.
'We need to wait for the full Commonwealth Games program to be released but yes, we are planning that Gout will be available to run at an event in Glasgow before going on to the World Juniors in Eugene,' Gout's manager, James Templeton, said.
Gout's intention to run opens up the prospect of another showdown with Aussie rival and close friend Lachie Kennedy.
Legendary sports broadcaster and Seven's voice of the Commonwealth Games Bruce McAvaney is 'excited' to see Gout in action on the world stage.
'Gout Gout is arguably the sporting story of a generation. And the prospect of him lining up in Glasgow next year, taking on the best sprinters from the Caribbean, South Africa, Canada and Britain, is just so exciting,' he said.
Next year's Commonwealth Games will feature a 10-sport program and approximately 3000 world-class athletes from 74 nations.
The 2026 Games will include athletics and para athletics (track and field), swimming and para swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling and para track cycling, netball, weightlifting and para powerlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and para bowls, and 3x3 basketball and 3x3 wheelchair basketball.
Australia will send a star-studded list of athletes gunning for gold.
'There's never been a more exciting time in Australian Athletics. There have been 37 Australian records set this year by our team competing both at home and internationally,' McAvaney said.
Aussie Olympian and co-host of Seven's Sunrise Matt Shirvington said the Commonwealth Games is such an important stepping stone for athletes.
'It's a chance to test themselves on the international stage, to show us what they're made of and for all of us to get behind them,' he said.
'We've got an incredible depth of young talent across so many sports, and it'll be a buzz to watch them shine in Glasgow. Athletics has always been close to my heart, and with a golden era emerging, it's even more exciting to see Gout Gout, Nina Kennedy, Lachie Kennedy, Peter Bol, Jess Hull and so many more lighting up the track.
'It's athletes like Gout who will make this Commonwealth Games compulsive viewing – and I can't wait to help share those unforgettable moments and stories with Sunrise viewers.'
Commonwealth Games discus champion and Olympic silver medallist Matt Denny is looking forward to defending his title.
'People often ask me when the next Comm Games are before they ask about the Olympics or World Champs,' he said.
'I feel like there's a strong standing there for Australians because we love to beat the Pommies, but it's a really good standard across the board.'
Para sprinter Rhiannon Clarke has a silver and bronze medal to her name, and is aiming to complete the set in Glasgow.
'The Commonwealth Games will always be special to me since it was my first Australian team back in 2018,' she said.
'It's amazing to see both the T38 100m and 200m on the program this time and I'm aiming to add to my medal collection and hopefully complete the set.'
Bowls silver medallist Carl Healey is excited for a new challenge indoors.
'As always it's a hectic time with selections in the not too distant future but it is extremely exciting to be a part of it, he said.
'An indoor Commonwealth Games for bowls is (as far as I know) a first for the sport, and could see the future of our great sport flourish with these opportunities. As Australians, we love a challenge and this will be our biggest one yet.'
Star gymnast and defending champion Kate McDonald is already counting down.
'It's hard to believe we're just a year out from Glasgow 2026. Representing Australia on the global stage is always a huge honour,' she said.
'The countdown is officially on and the excitement is building. I know the whole team will be doing everything they can over the next 12 months to be ready to put our best foot forward and make Australia proud.'
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