Wherever Quincy Wilson goes, he turns things into gold. Last summer, he had an enviable run and plenty of accomplishments to follow. He had three best times in the 400m event at the Under 18 level. Additionally, in the US Olympic track and field trials, he matched his pace with the big names and almost had his berth in the individual event. Even at 16, Wilson earned a call to feature in the men’s 4x400m relay squad for Team USA in the Paris Olympics. What could have been better than that? An Olympic medal maybe. 

Well, in the bustling French metropolis, Quincy had his turn to snag the gold medal. Now fast forward to December. The teenager has just grabbed the USATF Youth Athlete of the Year Award. His list of achievements has found another name to fill up the space. And all these laurels are chasing him because of what he did last summer. 

The date of August 9 this year came differently for the US track and field sports realm. For many, it was just an ordinary day. But on the same day, track and field sports enthusiasts witnessed magic taking place in Stade de France. On the very day, Quincy Wilson ran toe to toe in the prelims of the 4x400m relay event, becoming the youngest American male athlete to run in the Olympics. He led off the race for the USA squad to put the team in seventh place while handing the baton to Vernon Norwood. Well, Vernon is almost double Quincy’s age. Isn’t the factor quite amusing? 

In the final event, Quincy Wilson didn’t find a place in the squad as Rai Benjamin came to take up the charge. He ultimately led the squad to claim the Olympic gold in the event. Being a relay team member, Wilson had his chance to lay his hand on the medal. Nonetheless, before coming to Paris, the wunderkind had already started his fireworks. 

In the trial event, the Virginia native took 44.66 seconds to clear the preliminary round of the 400m event. The timing may not give an extra vibe when it is compared to the senior class. But registering it, Quincy broke the under-18 world record, which existed for a whopping 42 years! But decimating only one record failed to satisfy him. He needed another. 

In the semifinals of trials, Wilson finished the race in 44.59 seconds. In the final, the sixth-place finish didn’t avail him of a place. But the entire trial ticked two boxes for him. First, the timing lowered the age-based record in the men’s 400m event. Quincy, in fact, broke his own record to set another one. Second, he earned a call from the authority, confirming his inclusion in the relay pool for the Paris Olympics. For him, it was the set-out day. But did he stop to make records after the trials? 

The answer is no. In July, he came back stronger. On July 19, the Bullis High School alum entered the Holloway Pro Classic to compete in the men’s 400m event. For him, it was a perfect contest to measure the water. The reason? In the event, he had to lock horns with Bryce Deadmon, the former national champion. In the race, he outclassed the latter despite having almost zero experience in the senior league. Something additional also came in the race. Quincy just lowered the U18 world record in the 400m event. Now, it is 44.20 seconds. 

Naturally, Quincy Wilson has his flowers for making such records. But at the same time, he didn’t let him go off-guard. Rather, in Paris, he lived his days, and those are his best experiences. 

Quincy Wilson feels the weight of running in the final 

Since securing his entry ticket for the Paris Olympics, Quincy Wilson has been earning calls and invitations. Magic Johnson extended an invitation to Wilson and his family to join him in the owner’s suite for a Washington Commanders game. Even Dolphins’ WR Tyreek Hill and Colorado Buffs’ head coach Deion Sanders tweeted their praise for the young athlete.

Wilson was also invited to an extravagant seafood dinner in Baltimore, where he enjoyed crab alongside local celebrities from the Ravens and Orioles. Now, as far as the mentions are concerned, he has been included in the 2024 #EBONYPower100 Generation Next list and has also been highlighted in Sports Illustrated’s Power List. For him, there’s no end to accomplishments. But have those made him forget his Olympic days? 

No. Quincy Wilson still remembers the vibe of watching Rai Benjamin and others run in the 4x400m relay final in Stade de France. He explained his emotional rundown, stating, “I was very nervous, you know, because you are in that position where you are battling for first and second. I don’t know I was gonna be able to get that medal once I have seen that, once they showed me where the team was.” But he had faith in Rai to go past Letsile Tebogo in the final 100m. Ultimately, that took place and earned him the gold, the best achievement in Quincy’s cabinet. Now, that cabinet has another member.