Quincy Wilson, at 16, is poised to become the youngest male American track Olympian after being selected for the U.S. 4x400-meter relay team. Wilson announced the news on Instagram, celebrating his upcoming participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics. While the formal team announcement is pending, his coach, Joe Lee, confirmed the selection following a call from USA Track & Field.
Wilson, a Bullis School student near Washington, D.C., set and then broke the under-18 world record for the 400-meter dash at the trials, with times of 44.66 seconds on June 21 and 44.59 seconds on June 23, surpassing the previous record held by Justin Robinson. Robinson’s record of 44.84 seconds was set in 2019 when he was 17. Wilson expressed immense joy after breaking the record in the 400-meter semifinals, stating it was the happiest day of his life in track.
Despite finishing sixth in the 400-meter final and narrowly missing an individual spot, Wilson’s historic trials experience culminated in his relay team selection. Previously, the youngest American male track Olympians were Jim Ryun and Erriyon Knighton, who were both 17 at their Olympic debuts. Ryun debuted in Tokyo in 1964, and Knighton in Tokyo in 2021. Knighton, who qualified for the 200 meters, will also compete in Paris.
Congratulations Quincy Wilson!
Link: NBCNews
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