16-Year-Old Quincy Wilson Qualifying for Paris Olympics Reveals How He’s Chasing American Track & Field Dream

June 24, 2024, could have turned out to be a nightmare for Quincy Wilson. The 16-year-old found herself on the verge of nearly bypassing his dream of making it to the Paris Olympics at Hayward Field. Wilson ran a 44.59s, 400m sprint, setting a new U18 record in the semifinals, but fell to sixth place in the finals. Although he didn’t qualify directly on that day, after days of nail-biting suspense, Wilson had made it to the 4x400m relay pool heading to Paris.

Quincy Wilson and his coach, Joe Lee, had sat with CNN’s Laura Coates earlier. During the interview, Coates expressed awe at Wilson’s achievement. After making the U.S. Olympics Team for Paris, Wilson officially became the youngest ever U.S. male tack Olympian. So, she had to know what inspired the young athlete to chase his track and field dreams.

Wilson’s coach explained that one thing he always asks his athletes, is their “why?”. The track coach explained that for Quincy Wilson, that why has always been others. “I was running for my why, I was running my brothers,“ the 16-year-old told Coates. The Bulis School athlete sees every runner on that track as his “older brother,“. So when he runs it’s not just for his success, it’s to see them succeed as well. After all, as the young athlete mentioned, “We had a job. It was America vs every other team.”

You could say that the 16-year-old track phenom is the embodiment of the American dream. Coming from a humble household, Wilson’s coach described his parents as the youngster’s “foundation,“ who enriched him as a human being. Lee also explained that the “straight-A“ student has always focused on improving his talents on the track.

Quincy Wilson is just 16, but he is well on his way to realizing his Olympic dream. However, earning a medal for his country alongside his “brothers“ at the 4x400m relay would be the cherry on top. Thankfully, he has every track and field fan in America rooting for him.

Quincy Wilson has the support of the nation

The Virginia native has all of America buzzing with excitement after his incredible achievement. Every athlete on the senior team heading to the Paris Olympics is older than him. Wilson’s incredible talent has garnered praise from none other than Noah Lyles. “I was running for my why, I was running my brothers,“ Lyles wrote on X after Wilson made the relay pool.

“I’m glad people see the greatness he has already accomplished!“ added Lyles. Quincy Wilson also won over the fans of the post with his performance in the Olympic trials. Fans expressed that they hoped the decision makers at USTAF would select the teen phenom after his performance at Hayward Field. Thankfully, they did, and now Quincy Wilson dreams of making his country proud on the biggest stage in the world.