Quincy Wilson is an inspiration to the United States and the entire track world, showing that anything is possible if you work hard enough. Wilson, a 16-year-old, ran the first leg of the 4×400-meter relay prelims on August 9th in France, becoming the youngest U.S. male track Olympian. Already set apart from his peers for an outstanding outdoor track season, he broke the U-18 men’s record for the 400-meter dash twice during the Olympic Trials.
However, during the 4×4 qualifying round at the Olympics, Team USA made the mistake of making Wilson the first leg. Though he is a very talented and athletic young man, his inexperience showed as he raced against experienced Olympians. Running a 47.27-second split, Wilson handed the baton in seventh place, forcing the U.S. to play catch-up for the duration of the race. The USA team did not panic, and with strong legs from the other American runners, the U.S. recovered, finishing third and advancing to the final on August 10th.
Though Quincy Wilson has run better times previously, the U.S. team decided to not take the chance. “I knew I had a great three legs behind me, I knew it wasn’t just myself because by myself we would be in last place,” Wilson said in an interview with NBC. After the preliminary round, Vernon Norwood – another leg of the men’s 4×4 – said, “I was kind of in the moment because I’m watching a 16-year-old running the Olympics – Olympics history.”
Wilson did not compete in the final; it was Chris Bailey, Vernon Norwood, Bryce Deadmon, and Rai Benjamin who won in a close finish with Botswana. Wilson cheered from the crowd, watching his team claim gold. Due to Olympic rules, Wilson’s participation in the prelims qualified him to be awarded a medal as well.
