Peter Bol knows what it's like to be the focal point of astronomical hype. He doesn't know how it feels to be Gout Gout, who's gone viral time and again and is compared ad nauseum to Usain Bolt, but his series of runs at the Tokyo Olympics five years ago captured the admiration, and anticipation, of Australia.
It makes one wonder: what advice would Bol have for the 18-year-old sprint phenom navigating life under the gaze of millions?
"I've been in that spotlight before," Bol told Wide World of Sports ahead of the Australian athletics championships, starting on Thursday.
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"The only thing I did is just be myself as long as possible, and Gout's doing that, and as long as he continues to do that, he'll be fine."
Gout is pencilled in for the 200 metres, his pet event, at the national championships, taking place at Sydney Olympic Park between Thursday and Sunday.
At 1.55pm on Sunday, Gout and Lachlan Kennedy will load into the blocks for the 200m final, provided all goes to plan, and resume what's quickly becoming one of the most engrossing rivalries in Australian sport.
Bol, who will be out to defend his national 800m title in Sydney, sees Gout as a "little brother".
After all, both are of South Sudanese heritage, they have the same athletics agent, both are Adidas athletes, and Bol has 14 years on the sprint prodigy.
"He's very, very talented, obviously, and there's a lot of hype around him, and rightfully so," Bol said.
"The hype around Gout has been incredible for everyone, it's been incredible for Australian athletics, it's been incredible for Australia in general.
"First and foremost, credit to him because he's out there putting all the work in, and credit to his support team.
"It's all been super incredible to watch."
Bol and Gout are the subjects of a mini documentary being put together by ITV Studios — the creators of The Voice, The Chase and Love Island.
The documentary, which hasn't yet been claimed by a broadcaster, is the brainchild of Nick Fordham and Max Muddle at The Fordham Company, which looks after Bol's celebrity life.
A film crew has been following the two athletics stars around documenting their special bond. ITV Studios were at the Queensland championships last month, Melbourne's Maurie Plant Meet and the GQ Men of the Year awards night in Sydney last week, where Gout took out Breakthrough Athlete of the Year for 2025. The crew will be capturing content at the national championships, too.
"It's really cool because I think it's nice for the public to get to watch what we do — not just on the track, but outside of the track," Bol said.
"I think there's got to be a little bit more than just watching a 200m or an 800m.
"[The film looks at] what's the purpose around it and what's the training, what's the structure, what's the team? And I think this showcases all of that."
Peter Bol knows what it's like to be the focal point of astronomical hype. He doesn't know how it feels to be Gout Gout, who's gone viral time and again and is compared ad nauseum to Usain Bolt, but his series of runs at the Tokyo Olympics five years ago captured the admiration, and anticipation, of Australia.
It makes one wonder: what advice would Bol have for the 18-year-old sprint phenom navigating life under the gaze of millions?
"I've been in that spotlight before," Bol told Wide World of Sports ahead of the Australian athletics championships, starting on Thursday.
READ MORE: McKeown's candid admission after latest win
READ MORE: 'Don't pay attention': Voss brushes off lingering criticism
READ MORE: 'Not easy': Panthers gun admits sympathy for Galvin
"The only thing I did is just be myself as long as possible, and Gout's doing that, and as long as he continues to do that, he'll be fine."
Gout is pencilled in for the 200 metres, his pet event, at the national championships, taking place at Sydney Olympic Park between Thursday and Sunday.
At 1.55pm on Sunday, Gout and Lachlan Kennedy will load into the blocks for the 200m final, provided all goes to plan, and resume what's quickly becoming one of the most engrossing rivalries in Australian sport.
Bol, who will be out to defend his national 800m title in Sydney, sees Gout as a "little brother".
After all, both are of South Sudanese heritage, they have the same athletics agent, both are Adidas athletes, and Bol has 14 years on the sprint prodigy.
"He's very, very talented, obviously, and there's a lot of hype around him, and rightfully so," Bol said.
"The hype around Gout has been incredible for everyone, it's been incredible for Australian athletics, it's been incredible for Australia in general.
"First and foremost, credit to him because he's out there putting all the work in, and credit to his support team.
"It's all been super incredible to watch."
Bol and Gout are the subjects of a mini documentary being put together by ITV Studios — the creators of The Voice, The Chase and Love Island.
The documentary, which hasn't yet been claimed by a broadcaster, is the brainchild of Nick Fordham and Max Muddle at The Fordham Company, which looks after Bol's celebrity life.
A film crew has been following the two athletics stars around documenting their special bond. ITV Studios were at the Queensland championships last month, Melbourne's Maurie Plant Meet and the GQ Men of the Year awards night in Sydney last week, where Gout took out Breakthrough Athlete of the Year for 2025. The crew will be capturing content at the national championships, too.
"It's really cool because I think it's nice for the public to get to watch what we do — not just on the track, but outside of the track," Bol said.
"I think there's got to be a little bit more than just watching a 200m or an 800m.
"[The film looks at] what's the purpose around it and what's the training, what's the structure, what's the team? And I think this showcases all of that."
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