The amazing closing speed of Aussie sprint sensation Gout Gout has forced organisers into a rethink of the Stawell Gift finish line.
There are serious concerns that the wire fence is too close to the line and the lightning fast teenager will need some help to stop on the famous grass track before the fence comes into play.
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Established in 1847, the Gift is Australia’s oldest and richest short-distance running races. But, in its 148-year history, there has never been a need for crash bags to be used.
“There is talk of a crash bag but I don’t think we’re going to need it,” Stawell Gift spokesman Trent Taylor told News Corp.
“We’re just putting all these contingencies in place in case they actually need them.”
Crash bags are used during 60m sprint events on in indoor tracks.
Gout and fellow Aussie star Lachlan Kennedy will inspect the 120m track this afternoon (Friday) in a closed session.
“We actually looked at moving the fence but we can’t do that unfortunately … we’re going to close the track on Friday night so Gout and Lachie can have a run,” Taylor said.
“I think they’re going to be fine but we’ve got solutions which we don’t think we will need.”
A record number of people are expected to turn up to watch the exciting event as interesting around Australia’s two hottest sprinters surges.
In the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne, Kennedy caused a major upset when he posted 20.26 to beat Gout by four tenths of a second.
Gout then blew the athletics world away when he ran (a wind-assisted) 9.99s twice in the U20 100m heats and final in the national champs in Perth.
Stawell Gift event management chair Murray Emerson said he was expecting this year’s event to track a record number of people tickets were still available on Friday).
“I think it’ll be gigantic, not only because of Gout Gout but because we’ve got a lot of other top Australian runners there as well,” told the Weekly Advertiser.
“Central Park is in amazing condition and all the major runners who have entered seem to be at the peak of their fitness.
“We have a record number of entries this year, so we couldn’t be going any better at the moment. We just have to hope for a little bit of good weather just to top things off.
“The expectations have been pretty high ever since we contracted (Gout) to come, but with his recent performances (in Perth) has lifted it to an even higher level.
“And without taking anything away from the gift field, Peter Bol’s race last year was outstanding.
“He and all of the other 1000-metre runners could well make it the race of the weekend.”
Kennedy is the backmarker at the event Kennedy (0.25m), while Gout also has the tough mark of 1m.
All the Stawell Gift action is live and free across the screens of Seven and streamed on 7plus Sport.
The semi-finals on Monday start at 12pm AEST, with the women’s final at 1.45pm and the men’s final at 2.20pm.
Powercor Stawell Gift – Easter Monday (April 21, 2025)
Melbourne 11.30am LIVE on Channel 7 and 7plus Sport
Sydney 11.30am LIVE on Channel 7 and 7plus Sport
Brisbane 11.30am LIVE on Channel 7 and 7plus Sport
Adelaide 11.00am LIVE on Channel 7 and 7plus Sport
Perth 9:30am LIVE on Channel 7mate and then 10am LIVE on Channel 7 and 7plus Sport
Darwin 11.00am LIVE on Southern Cross Television and 7plus Sport
Tasmania 11.30am LIVE on Southern Cross Television and 7plus Sport
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