On Monday, a teenager from Maryland who hasn’t even obtained a driver’s license yet has the potential to make history for the United States in the Olympics.
Sixteen-year-old Quincy Wilson is geared up to compete in the men’s 400-meter final at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. A strong performance could secure him a spot on Team USA, making him the youngest American male to join the Olympic track team heading to Paris.
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During the semifinal on Sunday, the youthful athlete achieved an impressive feat by clocking a personal best time of 44.59 seconds and surpassing his own under-18 world 400-meter record. This remarkable accomplishment allowed him to advance to the final. Remarkably, this was not the first time he had broken the record, having already achieved this feat just two days prior by clocking in at 44.66 seconds during his heat on Friday.
In an interview with NBC Sports after the Sunday race, he expressed that he had given his all, pushing himself to run even closer to the finish line.
“He said that he knew that the last 100 was going to be challenging. He had been studying his opponents and had even watched them from the stands last year. But now, he is out there competing with them and is grateful to be in this moment.”
On Monday at 9:59 p.m. ET, the final race will take place. Along with Wilson, other notable runners include Bryce Deadmon, who is a two-time medalist and the 2023 U.S. national champion, and Vernon Norwood, who won gold and bronze medals with Deadmon at the Tokyo Games. In the previous race held on Sunday, Deadmon and Norwood outran Wilson.
In an interview with NBC Sports, Wilson shared that facing off against athletes who are older and even twice his age, like Norwood who is 32, doesn’t faze him. He’s used to it and sees it as just another part of the competition.
“He said that we put on our shoes in the same way. When we come out here, it’s all about who runs better, and today we fought it out,” expressed the speaker.
On Monday, the final race will determine the top three runners who will advance to Paris. Additionally, some of the other participants may be considered for the relay team. If Wilson secures a spot, he would become the youngest male Olympian in track and field, as confirmed by Olympics historian Bill Mallon. The current record for the youngest American track and field athlete is held by Esther Stroy, who competed at the age of 15 during the 1968 Olympics, according to Mallon’s statement to CBS News.
Wilson, a talented junior from Potomac, Maryland, brings a wealth of high school accomplishments with him. Despite not yet possessing a driver’s license, he has already secured a sponsorship with New Balance, who signed him just last year.
