Quincy Wilson, a 16-year-old track and field star from Potomac, Maryland, has been making waves in the sports world. Wilson began competing at eight years old. As a testament to his star power in track, Wilson, competing as the only freshman in the 400m field race, gained a national title at the 2023 New Balance Indoor National. In September 2023, Wilson became one of the youngest American athletes to sign an NIL deal with New Balance alongside Coco Gauff and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
His dedication and success in track and field make him a rising star to watch. In 2022, he set a record in the AAU semifinals with a final time of 47.59 and secured his fifth national AAU win. He has claimed five AAU Junior Olympic titles and achieved numerous first-place finishes. In January 2024, Quincy Wilson came close to breaking the under-18 world record for the indoor 500m at the 2024 VA Showcase, finishing just 0.02 seconds under the record of 1:01.27. He competed in an 800m event in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, finishing at 1:50.44.
Shortly after, Wilson participated in the March 400m race at the 2024 Florida Relays, clocking a final time of 45.19 seconds. With his winning time at the 2024 Florida Relay of 45.19, Wilson earned an automatic bid into the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials.
While Wilson focused on the 400-meter race at the 2024 New Balance Indoor Nationals, he broke yet another record by finishing in 45.76 seconds, thus earning him a fourth-place finish at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championship, which is considered a senior competition. His remarkable speed and talent have garnered praise from fellow athlete U.S. 100M Olympic Champion Noah Lyles for his incredible speed by stating on X, “He is HIM.”
Wilson sealed his reputation further at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals by finishing the 400m race with 45.13 seconds, setting a new meet record. Wilson continued to impress during the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in June 2024. He set a record of 44.66 seconds in the first round of the 400m race and then improved his time to 44.59 seconds in the semifinals. Ultimately, in the men’s 400m final at the Olympic Trials, Wilson finished sixth with a final time of 44.94 seconds.
Due to his phenomenal run at the trials, Wilson is considered the world’s eighth-fastest man in the 400 meters this year and the third-fastest American. He was named the 2023-24 Gatorade Maryland Boys Track & Field Player of the Year within days of this achievement.
Unfortunately, shocking news surfaced last Thursday when Wilson’s mother revealed on Instagram that he will not participate in the mixed 4x400m relay. Wilson and his family supported his teammates Shamier Little, Vernon Norwood, Kaylyn Brown, and Bryce Deadmon as they secured the silver medal in the mixed 4x400m relay final.
However, Quincy Wilson was able to make his debut at the men’s 4×400 prelims on Friday. Wilson’s extraordinary effort in his opening run in the Olympics led off the U.S. men’s team with a 47.27-second split on the first leg as they finished 3rd in their first round of 4×400 heat and qualified for the finals with a finishing time 2:59.15. On Saturday, Wilson cheered his team through the finals as they secured first place at the men’s 4x400m relay.
Wilson has shown the world that there is no limit to breaking records and setting standards. To even make it to the Olympics is an extreme accomplishment. Quincy Wilson has officially done all of the above by making history as the youngest male American ever to compete and represent Team USA in the Olympics for track and field. Quincy Wilson is officially the youngest U.S. track athlete to be an Olympic Gold Medalist before his junior year in high school and walks away with a piece of the Eiffel Tower.
About Amber: Amber Little is a writer, fashionista, and digital content creator. She has used her Journalism degree from Georgia State University and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Interior Design at SCAD to educate others through life and beauty.