2 hours ago
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Popular American athletics magazine Citius Mag has rushed to delete a tweet mocking sprinter Gout Gout after his fourth-placed finish in the semi-finals of the 200m at the World Championships.
The 17-year-old clocked a time of 20.36 on a wet track but it wasn't quick enough to get him through to the final against superstars like America's Noah Lyles.
Citius put up a post featuring a picture of Gout with the words 'OUT OUT' and an astonished-face emoji, coupled with the caption, 'Gout Gout fails to make it out of the semi-finals of the World Athletics Championships after finishing fourth in his heat in 20.36.'
The outlet was swiftly slammed by angry athletics fans, with one branding the post 'tasteless'.
'I personally find it in poor taste to make a joke at the expense of a 17-year-old who's had immense pressure placed on him and still managed to put together two strong runs in his first senior championship,' another commented.
'I never saw this with (American 800m runner) Cooper Lutkenaus. In fact, the headline you guys used there was, 'The fairytale ride comes to an end'. Do better and be consistent,' a third wrote.
Pictured: The 'OUT OUT' tweet by popular US athletics magazine Citius that was quickly deleted on Friday
Gout Gout finished fourth in the semi-final against much bigger and more experienced opposition as he became the youngest Aussie male to run at the World Championships
Athletics fans lashed out at the post by Citius Mag, describing it as tasteless and gutless
'Absolutely, gutless and lazy comment!' another fan added.
'Agree, found the headline distasteful and unless I missed it, Citius Mag hasn't apologised (they deleted the tweet tho).'
The Australia-based BorderAthletics SC account on X posted, 'I already unfollowed and unsubscribed until an apology', and American Olympics shot-putter Darrell Hill backed the criticism by writing 'well said'.
Gout had to clock 19.98 or better to book a spot in Friday's title race, where his friend and mentor Noah Lyles will be a hot favourite to win a fourth straight world crown.
Lyles clocked a sizzling time of 19.51 in the semis.
But the American is at the height of his physical powers at the age of 28.
Gout is a lean-framed schoolboy - albeit a ridiculously talented one.
'The biggest eye-opener is knowing that I can compete at a young age against the best men in the world,' Gout said.
Gout sent his rivals a reminder that time is on his side after failing to qualify for the 200m final
'It definitely makes me hungry, knowing that I'm just a kid right now, but knowing that I can compete as a kid.
'And the thing I have on them is time. They may not have 15 years - but I've got 15 years.
'I know that if I can do this at 17, then I can do this at 25 and I'll be even better at 25.'
He'll be much bigger by then too.
'I can definitely compete with a skinny frame, but getting bigger is one of the things that's going to help me, especially with my blocks start,' he said.
'Knowing that I can get that strength and execute my race plan even better and get faster times.'
