Eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt has recognised the rising talent of sprint sensation Gout Gout, who is drawing comparisons to the legendary Jamaican athlete. At just 17 years old, Gout appears set to shatter Bolt's 100m record, having already etched his name in the history books. Last year, he surpassed Bolt's fastest 200m time for a 16-year-old, clocking an astonishing 20.04 seconds at the Australian All Schools Championships.

Gout is now poised to make a significant stride in his burgeoning career after being chosen as part of Australia's team for the World Athletics Championships, marking his first appearance at a senior global event. During the championships - taking place in Tokyo, Japan from 13-21 September - Gout will solely compete in the 200m, with his commitments at Ipswich Grammar School preventing him from participating in the 4x100m relay.

The Queensland-born athlete also didn't qualify for the 100m after not competing in the event at the national championships.

As Gout continues his meteoric rise through the racing ranks, it seems Bolt is fully cognisant of the parallels being drawn between them. "I've seen a lot of athletes being called 'the next Usain Bolt' over the years," he wrote in The Times. "Gout Gout [the 17-year-old Australian runner who has broken records] is pretty talented."

Gout isn't the only sprinting sensation who has caught Bolt's eye. The 39-year-old has also praised the talents of Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who continued her unbeaten season over 100m by clinching victory in 10.76 seconds at last month's Brussels Diamond League.

"It's going to be tough for Dina Asher-Smith [at future competitions]," Bolt commented. "Because I've seen this young US girl, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who is really motoring. She looks extremely good. But anything can happen on the day - I've seen people be the favourite for years and lose."

While Gout acknowledges the similarities between himself and Bolt, the 17 year old stressed that he's more focused on forging his own path in the sport. "I do see it [the similarity to Bolt]," he told Nine.

"My stride length is pretty long, my knee height is pretty high and just the amount of tallness I get when I'm running. I'm just me trying to be me. Obviously, I do run like him. I do sometimes look like him, but obviously I'm making a name for myself, and I think I've done that pretty well.

"I just want to continue doing that and continue to be not only Usain Bolt but continue to be Gout Gout."

At times, Gout admitted, the pressure from these comparisons can build up. "In the moment it feels great because everyone wants to be compared to Usain Bolt, the fastest athlete alive," he told Channel 7.

"It does get a bit overwhelming, but now that I've grown up, I'm a bit mature and my circle really helps me stay level and I'm just trying to make a name for myself.

"Although I do run like Usain Bolt and I do maybe look like him ... my dream is I want to be one of the best athletes track and field and Australia has ever seen.

"I want to go to the '28 Olympics in LA. I want to go to the Brisbane Olympics. And I just want to show the world that I'm Gout and how I'm here to stay and the Olympics is the best place to do that."