A thump here, a stomp there, and that’s how the cookie crumbles, at least in the track and field world. Shoe companies have long been viewed as a paragon of athlete endorsements and NIL valuations. In the same vein, track and field Gary Evans has made headlines again. Evans recently criticized track and field as an amateur sport and the influence shoe companies have on athletes’ careers, the latter have a monopoly on athletic life seldom seen in other sports. Quincy Wilson too is soon rising through the ranks, garnering NIL deals like there’s no tomorrow, and the coach had some didactic words to say about it. While shoe conglomerates are a double-edged sword, the track world is unforgiving as was pointed out by the coach himself.

In a similar vein, Quincy Wilson, a 10th-grader, has been making waves in the sport after setting up an under-18 world record for the indoor 400 meters in March 2024. Gatlin took to his podcast to underline the need to cultivate Wilson’s talent without putting him under too much strain or speeding his development. Recently, Gary Evans also spewed more advice, this time on track agents and the track industry, a dangerous byproduct of the track world.

Gary Evans get real with it, expounds on the nitty gritty teeming the track world

At just 16, Quincy Wilson became the ninth-fastest time in high school history in the 400 meters. He ran 45.19 seconds at the 2024 Florida Relays in March. With that, he placed sixth fastest in the world. Soon after, WME Sports quickly recruited him to their premium sports clients, which includes Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in its roster. Now, @trackspice took to X to share Gary Evans’ advice. Evans noted, “You’re only good as your last run then your agent pushes you to the side or the shoe companies. Find the next man up you think you don’t think they’re looking for Quincy Wilson right now?” He hinted at the fact that once someone loses their sheen, they are discarded and the next in line await the untold riches of this transiently cut throat business.

Evans further added, “Somebody’s money about to get taken they’re not going after just college kids no more they’re going after high schoolers.” The veteran coach who is preparing Steven Gardiner for the 2024 Summer Games sent a message to young athletes, saying, “So y’all sit here feel it’s comfortable I’m in a comfortable spot oh I got this okay wait until after this Olympic cycle and don’t put that time down just because just as sure they give you the money they want it back because they’re always something new coming. Y’all know the song by Usher “New flame” same thing.”

Noah Lyles has already praised the Bullis High School sophomore’s track and field accomplishments, especially given his young age. This also piqued the interest of big companies, who are keen to partner with the emerging talent. Wilson signed a name, image, and likeness (NIL) contract with New Balance when he was 15 years old, making him the youngest high schooler to do so. The 16-year-old also has an Instagram account and a YouTube channel where he vlogs from his sessions and shares behind-the-scenes of the practice, and other topics. He has even gained valuable tidbits from Gatlin himself.

Justin Gatlin is a pillar of support for Wilson

Five-time Olympic medalist Justin Gatlin has great admiration for coach Gary Evans, describing him as  “the kind of coach who helps get you strong really quick. He gives you that endurance base.” Gaitlin had also given Quincy Wilson similar advice on the “Ready, Set, Go” podcast, saying, “Have fun with it.” “I still have him half in and half out.” Gatlin advocated a method in which Wilson competes in both high school and professional events, gradually exposing him to elite competition while maintaining friendships with his teammates.

He added, “It is not the pressure of, ‘here is the shoe contract, here is an agent, here is a professional coach, alright, go out there’. Gatlin highlighted the dangers of putting too much pressure on young athletes, emphasizing the necessity of moderating expectations and allowing progress. Gary Evans’s words do ring true though and its something that’s a part and parcel of the plight of the track world nowadays.