Quincy Wilson’s summer plans have veered off course straight onto the global stage of track and field! At just 16, Wilson is skipping the usual teenage milestones to chase the Olympics in Paris. With an old head on his young shoulders, he’s racing ahead with Team USA’s 4×400-meter relay squad, running circles around the competition. But guess what? His talent didn’t go unnoticed, at least not by legends!

Wilson clinched his spot in the finals with a solid sixth-place finish in the 400 meters. Throughout the weekend, he consistently tore up the track, clocking under 45 seconds each time. However, he narrowly missed qualifying for Paris in the 400 m. But wait, here’s the twist!

Wilson’s performances didn’t just catch attention; they turned heads. Deion Sanders, Michael Johnson, and even Magic Johnson have extended their congratulations to him. Amidst all this recognition, he also received invaluable advice from track and field icon Justin Gatlin, proving that every cloud has a silver lining.

In a recent interview with journalist Sheena Quick, retired track and field athlete Justin Gatlin shared his vision for Quincy Wilson’s future. He expressed, “I want to see Quincy do something like that. I want to see Quincy come out with his own apparel. I want to see the young generation that comes after him, the ones that are with him right now, wearing the Q Dubs. I want to see some track spikes from Quincy Wilson. I want to see some track gear. I want to see a real company sign him and give him his own little apparel.”

Gatlin even highlighted an example like Candace Hill, who back in 2015 became the “youngest track athlete in the United States to turn professional,” signing an arrangement with Asics” that included a 10-year deal effectively serving as an athletic scholarship.

As Justin Gatlin puts it, “You know if you know who Candace Hill is, she runs for Asics. She had a 10-year contract, right? So, it was like a developmental contract, which she was getting paid very well for, and now you’re seeing her blossom into a real, modified sprinter. She went from high school straight to turning pro; she had a beautiful contract.”

Gatlin wants Quincy Wilson to blaze a trail as Candace Hill did with Asics, securing a lengthy contract that serves as a springboard to greatness. Did you know Quincy is so talented that he crafted his own singlet during trials on June 21st? And guess what? He even got praised by Lyles too!

Does Quincy Wilson’s talent deserve more recognition?

During the U.S. Olympic track and field trials on June 21, Quincy Wilson made history by clocking 44.66 seconds in the men’s 400-meter heat, setting a new under-18 record. His standout performance in Eugene caught the eye of Noah Lyles, the reigning world champion in both the 100m and 200m. Wilson raced in a singlet adorned with a Maryland state flag pattern, a design he made in collaboration with New Balance.

NBC Sports featured Wilson’s winning race in a video, prompting Noah Lyles to give a shout-out: “I love this uniform; it’s so Maryland!” Lyles’ praise indicates not only his admiration for Wilson’s performance but also for the way he carries himself on the track.

Quincy has become one of the youngest athletes to secure an NIL (name, image, and likeness) deal with a major sportswear company. In September, he signed with New Balance after triumphing in the company’s 400-meter race, joining a cohort of high school and college runners nationwide. Currently, NIL deals for K-12 athletes are allowed in 30 states and DC, starting with California in 2021, yet it remains uncommon for major corporations to sponsor teenagers.

However, Quincy, despite his talents, hasn’t secured the major sponsorship deals he truly deserves, akin to other big track and field athletes with similar abilities. Do you think he’s deserving of more? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let us hear your two cents!