Australian sprint prospect Gout Gout has withdrawn from the upcoming Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, to return home for treatment of a persistent back issue. The 18-year-old athlete was scheduled to compete on July 4 but his team opted to end his overseas campaign early to focus on recovery.

Gout experienced lingering soreness in his back that initially flared during a training camp with Olympic champion Noah Lyles in the United States in April. While the injury has not been classified as severe, it has affected his ability to train at full strength for several weeks.

Following a challenging start to the season with a disappointing performance at the European opener in Oslo, Gout appeared to regain form in a strong showing against Lyles during a 150-meter race at the Ostrava Golden Spike meet. However, the continuing issues with his back have prevented him from building consistent training momentum.

His manager, James Templeton, confirmed on Tuesday that the sprinter would take a period of rest and rehabilitation before preparing for the World Under-20 Championships, also set to take place in Eugene this August. Templeton noted that although the injury is not serious, the extended period of stiffness has limited Gout’s training capacity since late April.

Gout had previously decided to forgo participation in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next month, prioritizing the World U/20 Championships instead. The early withdrawal from the Prefontaine Classic reflects a cautious approach aimed at preserving his long-term competitive prospects.