A kid beating the world’s best. How often does one come across that thought? Well, for starters, it was 1964, over six decades ago from today, a time where black-and-white TV was a luxury, when a 17-year-old kid from Kansas blew away everyone’s minds. The youngest male track-and-field athlete then, Jim Ryun became the first high school runner to participate in the Olympics. The Mile Master broke a mile within 4 minutes, 3:59.0 to be exact, and set a National High School record that no one thought could be broken. Until it did. Ryun participated in two mile runs once again the next year, breaking his own records with 3:58.3 and then 3:55.3. And just when the world thought this was it, another one came along the way.

57 years into the future came Erriyon Knighton. Hailing from Floria, the 6-ft-3 sprinter became an Olympian after participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the first to do so at the age of 17-years after Ryun. Knighton not only broke Usain Bolt’s 15-16 age group world record in the 200-meter event in 2020 but also stood one spot behind Noah Lyles in the Paris Olympics last year, completing a 200-meter final with 19.99 seconds and a fourth position. And if two athletes to hold the special positions were not enough, the track-and-field world now sees yet another wonder! Although US male athletes have competed professionally in the sport at the Olympics Games for 128 years, a competition for Quincy Wilson might not be as easily available.

Wilson became an Olympian just at the age of 16-years as he dressed up for the Paris Summer Games last year. Although he was there for the 4x400m relay and not his usual 400-m dash, Wilson was determined to showcase his talents on the biggest sporting stage in the world. He joined the professionals in Vernon Norwood, Bryce Deadmon and Christopher Bailey and to his surprise, he was to lead the first heat in the relay team. Unfortunately, the high schooler suffered a hamstring injury right after being named to the squad, hampering his performance as he completed his dash in 47.27, nowhere close to his best timings. Nevertheless, as his teammate Rai Benjamin crossed the final line with 43.13 in the Finals, Wilson exclaimed from the stands, as he experienced what none in the history of the sport did: becoming the youngest male track and field gold medalist ever.

With diamond stud earrings and a chain around his neck, you would think the 5-ft-9 student from Bullis High School is just that– a teen student. Often deeply lost in his books, Quincy Wilson is the uncommon combination of brains meets skills. Specifically, because the young athlete, who was already an Olympics gold medalist at the age of 16-years-old, the youngest male track-and-field athlete yet to participate in the Summer Games, believes education is just as important. “Athletics isn’t guaranteed. I could walk out of this room right now and something goes wrong. But the one thing that nobody can ever take away from me is my brains and my knowledge. Track isn’t going to be there forever. Regardless of how successful your career goes, you need to have some type of education and degree so that you can excel in this world.”

Still, maintaining a balance between studies and track activities only helps him focus on both better. And surely, has not stopped him from excelling in either fields. The seventeen-year-old Quincy Wilson is out here making the pros sweat, and honestly, we’re loving every second of it. His season opener at the VA Showcase 2025 was supposed to be a grand entrance—you know, the kind where he stuns the world but, well… he lost. No big deal, though. Fast forward to the Millrose Games, and Wilson was back for redemption, lining up in the 600m against elite 800m studs Isaiah Jewett, Will Sumner, and Brandon Miller. The real question: Could he shock the world this time and break yet another record which his fellow contestant Will Sumner holds (high school national record of 1:15.58)? Spoiler alert—nope.

Quincy didn’t come in first. Or second. Or third. He finished fourth. But he still ran a blazing 1:16.20, smashing his personal best! Meanwhile, Will Sumner, 22, went full beast mode, winning in 1:14.04 and making history as the third-fastest ever in the event as he trails Donovan Brazier and Brandon Miller. Isaiah Jewett (1:14.17) and Miller (1:14.37) also threw down incredible times as Jewett gets to keep his winning streak against Miller since 2021 alive. Sure, it was Quincy’s second loss of the season, but let’s be real—he’s 17, running against grown men, and closing in on records.

After the race, when asked about his performance, Quincy seemed proud of himself. “It’s a lot—I mean, 1:16.20 is a second PR. The 600 is a tough race, but it was a great environment, a really good space. So, 1:16? I’ll definitely take it. The plan was just to execute the race, try to lead the pack. But I should have trained myself better and known they were going to go out harder. A lot happened, but you just have to keep working.” For Quincy, 400m dash is the main event. However, his coach Joe Lee told Greg Rosenstein of NBC News in January that he will be competing in the 300-, 500- and 600-meter for the indoor season. Just a few days ago, he was a hero—and now?

Quincy Wilson’s season opener? Yeah… not exactly a fairytale. The junior took an L in the 500m, watching fellow high schooler Andrew Salvodon steal the spotlight. But if there’s one thing Wilson doesn’t do, it’s stay down. Fast forward to the 2025 New Balance Grand Prix, he lined up against track powerhouses like Will Sumner, Jereem Richards, and Zakithi Nene. At 200 meters, he was chilling in third, looking way too comfortable. And then? Boom. Turbo mode activated. He shifted gears so fast it looked like he had a secret shortcut, leaving the competition in the dust.

In the pro 400m race, he blasted through the finish in a jaw-dropping 45.66, smashing his own U.S. high school and World U18 indoor records. Meanwhile, Sumner (46.27), Richards (46.49), and Nene (46.56) were left staring at the clock like– Wait, what just happened? Quincy just reminded everyone why he’s the youngest U.S. Olympic gold medalist—and let’s be honest, this is only the beginning.

Yet, despite his immense talent and a string of record-breaking performances, history repeated itself on the biggest stage. Just like in past races, he lit up the track but ultimately fell short at the Olympics.

Quincy Wilson shatters records

In January 2024, Quincy Wilson decided to rewrite history—literally. He blazed through the indoor 500m at the VA Showcase in a jaw-dropping 1:01.27, setting a new world record for athletes 18 and under. His reaction? Still that of surprise as he saw the time written in white on the clock. And just to keep things interesting, he showed off his range by winning an 800m race in the Beach Run Invitational in Myrtle Beach with a 1:50.44, nation’s second best. Basically, this standout was out there collecting fast times. Then came the outdoor season, and Wilson didn’t slow down—if anything, he turned things up a notch.

At the Florida Relays on March 29, last year, he clocked 45.19 in the 400m, making him the fastest American at any level in 2024. But that wasn’t just a flex—it earned him an automatic spot at the U.S. Olympic Trials in June. The performance he displayed exceeded all expectations. During the trials, he set three consecutive 400m race records under 45 seconds while destroying a 42-year-old under-18 world standard with his 44.66 semis race time.

Closing the 400m final as sixth-placed at trials did not deliver his dream finish but secured his spot on the 4×400 relay team of the US. When he got his shot in the prelims, he started things off with a 47.27 split, handing the baton off in seventh place. Thankfully, Christopher Bailey’s insane 44.14 anchor leg brought Team USA back to third, sending them to the final. Wilson didn’t get selected to run in the gold-medal race, but he was right there supporting his squad—and guess what? He still walked away an Olympic champion. Not bad for a high schooler. One thing’s for sure: this is just the beginning.