16-year-old record-breaking American wunderkid hopeful of making 4x400m relay team for Paris Olympics

16-year-old record-breaking American wunderkid hopeful of making 4x400m relay team for Paris Olympics

Mark Kinyanjui 14:30 - 25.06.2024

Quincy Wilson is still hopeful of being a teenage Olympian in 4 by 400m relay team after narrowly missing out on the 400m team.

American teen sprint sensation Quincy Wilson is keeping his fingers crossed as he harbors hopes of making the US 4x400m relay team for the Paris Olympics. At just 16 years of age, this Maryland native has been catching eyes—and rightly so. 

Wilson has been blazing the men’s 400 meters, competing against significantly older and more experienced athletes.

In his three races at Eugene, Wilson clocked under 45 seconds three times: 44.86 seconds in the heats, 44.59 seconds in the semi-final, and an impressive 44.94 seconds in the final.

 His performance broke the U18 record with a stunning 44.86 on Day 1 and then promptly shattered his own record in the semi-finals. These times obliterated a high school record that had stood unbroken for 42 years.

Heading into the finals on June 24, 2024, Wilson was set to make history by aiming for a spot in the Paris Olympics.

 However, in the men’s 400m finals, Wilson finished strong but landed in sixth place with a time of 44.94 seconds. While he narrowly missed qualifying for Paris in the individual 400m, Quincy’s Olympic dream is far from over.

Speaking to the media after the race, Wilson reflected on his performances with pride and refused to blame his sixth-place finish on fatigue, despite having run four 400m races in under 45 seconds within a week—a remarkable feat for a 16-year-old.

“I think that 44.16 is amazing. I mean, I am probably in the all-time list for the amount of 44s. Four 44s in a week. I don’t see it as any fatigue,” Wilson said. 

“I think I did things better in the rounds before; I got to the 200 faster. But you know, everything happens for a reason. I am in sixth place and now waiting to see if I am in the relay pool.”

While it remains unclear who the USATF will select to be part of the team that will be running at the Olympic Games, Wilson has pledged to pour his blood, sweat, and tears for the nation if given a chance.

“If I am able to make the team, USA knows I am going to give it my all and work hard to ensure the USA is at the top, and I want to represent my country as best I can,” Wilson stated.

 “I don’t know if my season is over yet. I do not want to go out and eat some ice cream too soon. You never know. I might be getting that call to regroup.”

“I will just keep my head down, keep praying on it, and keep thinking and hoping I will make the team,” he added. 

“They may take somebody from the 200, so you do not really know when it comes to the USTAF. I gave it everything I had. I cannot be disappointed because at the end of the day, I am 16 running men’s times.”

Quincy Wilson's extraordinary performances have already made him a standout figure in American track and field, and his journey is just beginning. Whether or not he makes the relay team for Paris, his future in the sport looks incredibly bright.

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