How does it feel to guide athletes to Olympic gold? For Coach Joe Lee, it’s a blend of pride and reflection. Quincy Wilson’s historic triumph and Masai Russell’s emergence as a top hurdler aren’t just testaments to their talent but also a reflection of Lee’s relentless dedication. As the coach of America’s youngest Olympic gold medalist, Quincy Wilson, and the rising star hurdler, Masai Russell, Lee has always shown unwavering confidence in their abilities. Reflecting on their journey to the Paris Olympics, he shared in an interview with 7News Sports, “I’m super proud. You really want to see the people who work hard and go after their goals to be rewarded at the highest level.” 

Lee emphasized their resilience, noting how they worked through every challenge to reach this position. It wasn’t just about their training; it was about the preparation that stemmed from Lee’s steadfast nurturing. He fondly recalled how Wilson and Russell entered the sport with raw talent. Through hard work, intelligence, and encouragement, they transformed into amazing athletes on the global stage. Their journey to the 2024 Summer Olympics is a testament to the power of perseverance and Lee’s guiding hand.

Coach Joe Lee reflects on shaping Quincy Wilson and Masai Russell into Olympic champions

In a recent interview with NBC Washington, Coach Joe Lee was asked about his experience coaching two athletes who are now Olympic gold medalists. He proudly responded, “I mean it’s a dream come true. It really still feels like a dream. I am like, is this really happening? You know, small school in Potomac, Maryland. And then we started our program ten years ago and we just kind of built it and have amazing athletes like Masai and Quincy and so many others.” Overwhelmed with emotion, Lee shared how surreal it still feels. He could hardly believe that such extraordinary talent came from a small school. His words showed his pride and hope for Quincy and Masai’s futures.

Later in the same interview, Shawn Yancy asked Quincy Wilson about his plans, including how many Olympics he hopes to compete in. When Quincy hesitated, his coach quickly jumped in, confidently saying that Quincy could go for five Olympics. However, this Olympic journey for both Quincy and Masai was not without challenges. Joe Lee once shared how Quincy felt immense pressure before his performance. Speaking to Citius Magazine, he said, “He’s got the pressure of the world on him. I don’t know anybody—any kid at 16 years old, or 17 years old, or 26 years old, or whatever—that can handle the pressure that he’s under.” Lee also revealed that Quincy wasn’t well just a month ago.

He had been in the hospital. Yet, Quincy’s resilience brought him back to the global stage. His determination helped the USA team clinch gold with a time of 2:54.43. On the other hand, right before the Paris Olympics, Masai Russell faced intense online trolling that fueled her determination to bag gold in the women’s 100m hurdles. She did not only win, but Russell also broke the 24-year-old trial record held by Gail Devers by finishing it at 12.33 seconds. Though Joe Lee did not coach her right now, he still feels very proud to see her victory at the global level. 

Quincy Wilson’s Paris triumph and Masai Russell’s legacy under coach Joe Lee

Quincy Wilson, a high school star from Bullis School in Maryland, was headed to Paris. He and his coach, Joe Lee, announced his inclusion in the U.S. 4×400 relay pool. The 16-year-old dazzled at the U.S. Olympic trials, breaking a 42-year-old under-18 record with a time of 44.66 seconds in the 400-meter preliminary. He then improved his mark to 44.59 in the semifinals. Although his final time was 44.94, his strong finish earned him a spot in the conversation for the relay team. Joe Lee, going into his 12th year at Bullis, has built the track and field program into a national powerhouse.

He is known for his meticulous approach. “The track is his laboratory,” said 7News Sports Director Scott Abraham. “He’s detail-oriented and leaves no stone unturned.” Lee praised Wilson and his teammate, Masai Russell, for their resilience. “Coaching has its highs and lows. You have your good days and not-so-good days, but it’s really about the ones who hang in there and stay resilient. Masai and Quincy are very resilient. They have a heart of a champion.”

Masai Russell, a Bullis alumna from the class of 2018, won the gold in the Women’s 100-meter Hurdles at the Olympics. She edged out France’s Cyréna Samba-Mayela by a hundredth of a second, clocking in at 12.33 seconds. Russell is the first American to win gold in this event since 2016. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico earned bronze with a time of 12.36 seconds. Russell won eight national titles at Bullis and set multiple national records in sprint relays. In 2018, she was named Gatorade Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year for Maryland. 

After graduating, she competed at the University of Kentucky, where she was a runner-up in the 100-meter and 400-meter hurdles in 2023. At the U.S. Olympic Trials in June, Russell made Team USA by breaking the meet record with a 12.25-second time in the 100-meter hurdles. Russell credits Bullis Track and Field’s coaches with her success. “I think it’s just the coaching,” she said. “The coaches at Bullis had a vision for us. They had a plan for us. The standard was always there. Even if we didn’t attain what we wanted to reach that year, we always were able to reevaluate and continue to push for more. Coach Lee and his staff have kept that vision throughout the years.” With Wilson’s Paris Olympics debut and Russell’s continued excellence, both athletes promise exciting futures. Fans can look forward to seeing Wilson’s Olympic debut and Russell’s ongoing impact on the global stage.