Gout Gout

[Lods]

I'm not sure if this rule is true of athletics, but of almost every other code, beware the child star.  They often fail to live up to expectations. 

Nothing is ever certain but...
I've been involved in Track and Field for over 50 years.
I reckon this kid is as exciting a sprint prospect as we've had.
With just a bit of natural progression he'll go sub 10/20 in the 100 and 200 before he reaches 21.
His 20.60 run today was into a headwind. His start probably cost him a couple of metres and he came home nearly over the top of a much more mature, athlete who is no mug runner.

I'm probably one of the most ardent critics of the Little Athletic system and bringing juniors on too quickly.
I beleive it's cost us multiple talented athletes over the years as it's destroyed young prospects by pitting them against early developers.
It's also had a negative impact on the sport in general, in terms of it's profile and participation into senior ranks.
Very few teenagers want to tell their friends they do 'Little A's' and as the kids go through the age groups the drop off is significant.

But there are some who have thrived under the 'early' competition system.