IShowSpeed—sounds familiar, right? If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, chances are you’ve heard of him. His real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., and while he’s known for being a YouTube sensation, he’s now chasing a completely different dream: competing in the LA28 Olympics. Crazy, huh? Turns out, Olympic champ Noah Lyles had some advice for him: train hard and try his luck in a longer race, like the 100 meters. So, what’s the story behind this wild idea?

It all started with a 50-meter race organized by YouTuber MrBeast. The race featured a $100,000 prize and pitted IShowSpeed against none other than Noah Lyles himself. While Lyles took the win, Speed impressed everyone with his unexpected speed. Lyles didn’t just stop at winning, though—he suggested Speed consider proper training, “You should practice with me and then at the end of the week, we’ll race again,” Lyles told IShowSpeed. “You’ll be faster, you’ll know what to do, you’ll have the techniques, you’ll have the advantage. Then we can run the real man’s race, the 100 (meters).” 

Inspired by this, Speed announced his big Olympic goal: “2028, I’ll be running in the Olympics for sure. I’ll do the 100 meters… and maybe the 50 meters.” Of course, he quickly realized that 50 meters isn’t an Olympic event so he emphasized his focus on the 100 meters.

Making the leap from YouTube stardom to Olympic-level competition isn’t exactly a walk in the park. It means intense training, meeting tough qualification standards, and going head-to-head with athletes who’ve been doing this for years. Still, Speed’s confidence has caught people’s attention. His fans are all in, cheering him on as he takes on this unexpected challenge. Even though it’s a long shot, the excitement he’s bringing to the table is hard to ignore.

But let’s be real for a second—can he actually make it? The U.S. trials alone are like mini-Olympics, packed with world-class talent. Just reaching the starting line in LA would be a massive accomplishment. If he pulls it off, he’ll be racing against the best sprinters in the world. So, does he have what it takes? Believe it or not, he just might have a fighting chance. Want to know why? Let’s break it down.

Reason #1: IShowSpeed’s potential mirrors the success stories of athletes who began training later

Right now, IShowSpeed is 19 years old, and if he starts training seriously from this point, there’s no reason he couldn’t achieve great things in the coming years. It’s not uncommon for athletes to begin their journeys later in life and still find success in their chosen fields. Take Francena McCorory, for example. She started her track and field career in high school at the age of 16, yet she went on to achieve Olympic gold at the London Olympics in 2012.

David Rudisha is another great example. He began his track training at the age of 16 and shifted gears at 19 toward more intense middle-distance training. This ultimately propelled him to global recognition, culminating in a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics and a new world record in the 800-meter event.

There are also other athletes to mention! Kim Collins began his journey, in his late teenage years and eventually achieved the title of 2003 World Champion in the 100 meters race event. Michael Frater delved into serious sprint racing around the age of 18 and later secured an Olympic gold medal in the 4×100 meters relay event. But what about more reasons?

Reason #2: Physical attributes of IShowSpeed

Scientifically, IShowSpeed’s height of 5 feet 8 inches and weight of 143 pounds make him well-suited for competing in the 100-meter sprint. His advantage lies in his power-to-weight ratio, as a lighter body allows for greater force production relative to mass—a key factor in achieving acceleration. While taller sprinters may benefit from longer strides, IShowSpeed’s height supports a higher stride cadence, which is crucial for maintaining top speed. Additionally, his slender physique suggests a high percentage of fast-twitch muscle fibers, which are advantageous for sprinters. With the right training regimen to complement his natural abilities, he has the potential to excel in sprinting competitions.

Reason #3: Cross-training

IShowSpeed has a background, in sports such as soccer basketball, and rugby which has helped him build skills such as speed explosiveness, and agility. These sports involve lots of running changes in direction and bursts of power qualities that are extremely helpful for a sprinter. Because of his experience in these sports, transitioning to sprinter might be easier for IShowSpeed since his body is already familiar, with running fast and making explosive movements

Reason #4: Access to top-level guidance and facilities

According to a Celebrity Net Worth estimate his wealth is at $10 million dollars. with this, IShowSpeed possesses the financial resources necessary to invest in high-quality coaching services as well as top-of-the-line equipment and training facilities with the help of premier coaches and state-of-the-art tools, at his disposal he can enhance his athletic skills and elevate his performance to new heights.

Reason #5: Genetics

IShowSpeed is Black American, and as we know, many Black athletes have a knack, for sprint events due to their genetics which includes a high percentage of fast twitch muscle fibers essential for quick bursts of speed and body structures that facilitate longer strides in races, like Usain Bolt exemplifies this notion well—his lengthy legs and muscle composition give him a built-in edge in sprint competitions. However, even with these genetic gifts, Bolt didn’t begin serious training until he was 12 but still nailed it.

With so many things in his favor. what do you think—Can he make it to LA 2028? Only time will tell. For now, all we can do is watch, wait, and maybe root for the underdog to pull off the unthinkable.