With great power comes great responsibility. That’s not true for just Spiderman, but for the average Joe as well. What’s behind every superhero? Setbacks! And 16-year-old Quincy Wilson faced one on June 24th! But wait, is his Paris Olympics dream dashed? Not so fast. This 5-foot-9 powerhouse from Virginia Beach proclaims, “I’m running with the big dogs.” He has stunned the nation with his journey so far, setting record after another. However, in the final Olympic trials on Monday, he fell just short of clinching a spot on the team in the 400m. Despite clocking in at 44.94 seconds and securing a sixth-place finish, Quincy Wilson needed to clinch a top-three spot for an automatic berth.

So close, yet the individual 400m Olympics placement remained just out of reach for him. Remarkably, he ran four 400m races in under 45 seconds within a week. However, he is not ready to give up. Wilson remains optimistic, stating, “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.” Despite missing out on Paris in the individual 400m, Wilson still stands a chance to make the Olympic team through alternate means. But how?

Quincy Wilson can still make it to the Paris Olympics, but how?

Before the final trials, on June 23rd, Wilson delivered a stunning performance, securing a personal best time of 44.59 seconds. He surpassed his own under-18 world 400-meter record in the semifinals to advance to the final. Remarkably, this was the second time in two days that he shattered the record, having clocked in at 44.66 seconds on June 22nd, outpacing his heat competitors and claiming the record as his own. Despite encountering a setback in the finals, Wilson still holds a chance to secure a spot in Paris as part of the 4×400 relay pool.

The outcome of the final trials doesn’t diminish the incredible achievements of this high schooler throughout the weekend. As he set the records before the final trials, this opened the possibility for him to secure a spot in the relay team for Paris. However, he has also set/ surpassed the world record for under-18 runners, a record that had stood for an impressive 42 years. Competing among some of the world’s fastest runners, including veterans like 32-year-old Vernon Norwood and 26-year-old Michael Norman, Wilson’s performance is worth it for the big stage.

However, as USATF deliberates on the Olympic team selection, Wilson hopes to represent his country with utmost dedication. “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 affirmed. If he does secure a spot in the relay pool, he would become the youngest American male ever to make the Olympic team on track. But he has been ruling the roost since 2022.

Making track and field history since the age of 14

Quincy Wilson is ranked 103rd in the world in men’s 400m. Ever since he attended Bullis High School, Wilson’s prowess was evident when he set the under-18 world record first time for the indoor 400m in March with a time of 45.76 seconds, placing him fourth globally at the 2024 World Indoor Championships. However, on June 15, 2024, he clinched victory at the Championship Boys’ 400m during the New Balance Nationals Outdoor, crossing the finish line in 45.13 seconds and setting a meet record in the process.

Wilson’s track record is further highlighted by his triumphs in prestigious competitions. In March 2023, he secured the New Balance Nationals Indoor title in Boston, clocking in at 46.67 seconds over 400 meters. At the Penn Relays in April 2023, his split time of 45.06 seconds showed his potential. Despite finishing second at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor in June 2023, held in Franklin Field, Philadelphia, Wilson’s consistency remains unwavering. Moreover, Wilson’s accomplishments extend beyond the track, as he became one of the youngest American athletes to secure a name, image, and likeness (NIL) contract with a major sports brand company in September 2023.

However, his journey began in 2022 when he shattered the national under-14 record in the 400m, finishing the year with an impressive time of 47.77 seconds before even entering high school. His personal best of 22.15 seconds in the 200m, set at Marcus T. Johnson Track in Greensboro, NC, in 2022 showcases his versatility even at the age of 14 at that time. As Wilson continues to defy expectations and push the boundaries of his potential, the question remains: can he overcome recent setbacks and secure his place in Paris? What do you think? Comment below and let us know.