Who doesn’t love a little spotlight now and then, right? But for 17-year-old Quincy Wilson, it’s been a whole different level. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, he became the youngest to compete for Team USA in track and field. And though he was not part of the team for the men’s 4x 400M relay final, he supported them wholeheartedly. He was rewarded with a gold for his contributions when the relay team clinched the finals. It has been a lot, but Quincy is handling it well. His family is still grounding him even as the attention surrounding him grows bigger.

It is difficult to handle all that attention at this young age. But Quincy’s parents understand what he is going through. After all, his mother, Monique Wilson, used to play basketball and soccer. His father, Roy Wilson, was a football player and a Navy submarine officer. But it is Monique’s advice that helps Quincy stay real, as she recently revealed. And that advice is still helping him.

Quincy fully understands the limelight he has achieved, stating, “Life has been crazy. And it’s been an amazing process. I hope I can keep enjoying it.” However, his parents, Roy and Monique, are working tirelessly backstage. And they are making sure that beneath the fame of high school, it is not forgotten that he is just an ordinary high school student. “We say no to a lot of things, not because we don’t want him to do them, but to give him a chance to develop normally,” explained Roy.

Monique, as well as Roy, have gone to great lengths to ensure that Quincy Wilson follows his dreams. It all commenced when they moved from Chesapeake, Va., to Gaithersburg, Md., so that he could join Bullis School. This was necessary for him if he wanted to be the best, because Quincy wanted to be around the right coaching staff, though his family has had to sacrifice a lot. “My mom has put everything into me and my father as well. Just knowing you’re running for your family, running for you, and running for the one above, it’s great things,” Quincy shared in 2024.

Quincy Wilson’s secret to staying grounded

According to The Virginian Pilot on January 18, Roy and Monique, the parents of Quincy Wilson, recently shed some light on parenting a teenage Olympian. Now that Quincy is enjoying tremendous success, as evidenced by his 362k followers on Instagram. And of course, being an Olympic gold medalist as well. As such, the Wilsons have ensured that the teenage sensation remains grounded regardless of the fame. Their message to him is simple: “Continue to be you.” Monique, a hall-of-fame athlete and former two-sport star, says they never expected this to get this wild. But they are managing and keeping Quincy grounded.

Yet, at the same time, Monique’s advice to Quincy is as any mother could wish her son to have. She knows that success can be quite unpredictable and fleeting. “God can give it to you, and He can take it away quick,” she says. That’s why she tells him to cherish each second but also not forget to remain modest and responsible. Yeah right? Well, easier said than done, especially when you are a 17-year track prodigy who everyone expects to win and break records with every race you are participating in.

Only last week, Quincy Wilson raced against Andrew Salvodon in the 500 meters. Nonetheless, all efforts were in vain as Salvodon emerged as the victor and set a record. Quincy came in second, though his parents were at the event rooting for him and assisting him understand things. Of course, Roy and Monique are trying their best for Quincy to end up balanced. For them, it is more than a dream; it is helping Quincy Wilson become the best that he can be, from being the best athlete to the best person. For them, it is about making sure he remembers his goals and never forgets all the things they have done for him.

Still, Quincy’s parents never let him forget the basics and try to give him a normal high school experience. Monique celebrated Quincy’s academic and athletic achievements in 2024, posting about his honor roll recognition and athletic awards. She wrote, “We don’t just care how many races he’s won or records he’s broken. Hearing the head of school speak highly of Quincy made tears fall from our eyes.” For Monique and Roy, however, it is not just about victory on the track, but the kind of man that Quincy is developing into.