Quincy Wilson, 16, doesn’t even have a driver’s license yet.
Published on July 3, 2024
Photo: Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
The 16-year-old sprinter from Maryland made history and will be heading to the Paris Olympics. Quincy Wilson, the rising junior at Bullis School in Potomac, has become the youngest U.S. male track and field athlete to make an Olympic team.
The Breakthrough at U.S. Olympic Trials
Wilson exploded onto the scene at the U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon. Last week, he didn’t qualify for the 400 meters at the trials (finishing sixth), but his performance was still stellar. Running under 45 seconds in three separate 400-meter heats, he broke an under-18 world record twice that stood for 42 years.
A Rollercoaster of Emotions
His coach, Joe Lee, shared how he playfully handled the good news with Quincy: I was extremely nervous and then he called me and said just like, ‘Unfortunately, we have some bad news,’… ‘I’m just kidding. We’re going to Paris.’
An Electrifying Experience
Despite not clinching a spot in the individual 400m event, Wilson’s entry to the U.S. 4×400 relay team was confirmed. Coach Joe Lee added his optimism about Quincy’s potential: I think we are going to see a lot of new records in track. Quincy is a huge talent with an exceptional work ethic, and he’s destined for big things.
A Dream Come True
Reflecting on the momentous occasion, Quincy shared his excitement: I started running around the house,… it was just a moment for me because everybody dreams about going to the Olympics as a young kid.
The United States has constantly medaled in consecutive games, and with talents like Wilson emerging, the future looks bright for American track and field.
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