Quincy Wilson’s Olympic Debut: A Journey of Grit and Determination
SAINT-DENIS, France — In a moment that marked a significant chapter in his burgeoning athletic career, Quincy Wilson, the remarkable talent from Bullis School in Maryland, appeared somber for the first time under the Olympic spotlight. The infectious smile that had captivated audiences over the past few months was replaced by a serious expression that spoke volumes about his competitive spirit.
Competing in the first round of the men’s 4×400 relay on Friday, Wilson took the baton for the U.S. team, clocking in at 47.27 seconds. This performance placed him seventh in the eight-man field, and it was clear that he was not satisfied with his effort. Just three weeks earlier, Wilson had dazzled spectators at the U.S. Olympic trials by achieving a personal best of 44.20 seconds at the Holloway Pro Classic in Gainesville, Florida. But at Stade de France, he fell short of that standard.
“It was amazing,” Wilson remarked, his usual radiant smile noticeably absent. “I was out there with a great team who supported me through the whole experience. I wasn’t 100 percent myself, but the team came out here and did it for me.”
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When pressed about what he meant by not being “100 percent himself,” Wilson graciously declined to elaborate, indicating that he wanted no excuses. However, he didn’t need to articulate further; his disappointment was palpable.
Fortunately for him, the U.S. team managed to recover and qualified for the final round, ensuring that no harm was done. They are still in the running to defend their championship title in the final scheduled for Saturday.
It’s likely that Wilson will be replaced in the final round—a decision that was probably anticipated from the outset, given the U.S. has a roster filled with elite talent in the 400-meter discipline. Quincy Hall recently clinched the gold medal in the men’s 400 meters, and if he is healthy and ready, he is expected to take the lead. Rai Benjamin, who is set to compete for gold in the men’s 400-meter hurdles later that evening, is another strong contender. Benjamin is a seasoned relay athlete with an Olympic gold from Tokyo and two World Championship golds in the 4×400 relay.
“Tomorrow is going to be better,” said Wilson’s relay teammate, Vernon Norwood, confidently. “I guarantee you.”
What stands out about Wilson is not merely his time but his presence. He has made history as the youngest male athlete to represent the United States at the Olympics.
Norwood shared his admiration for Wilson, revealing that he was so caught up in the moment of witnessing this 16-year-old make Olympic history that he had to refocus himself for the baton handoff. “I’m super proud of him for coming out here and displaying his grit for us and for the United States,” Norwood expressed. “I told him before we walked out, ‘Hey, embrace it. You belong here. This is a privilege. Few people in this world will get this opportunity, so make the most of it.’”
Wilson represents a bright future for USA Track and Field. His inclusion in the relay team highlights the coaching staff’s intention to develop his potential, providing him with invaluable experience ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics rather than opting for a more seasoned runner whose prime years may be behind him.
“Absolutely!” exclaimed Masai Russell, a fellow athlete and close friend of Wilson who also attended Bullis. “When he was upset about not making the (4×400 mixed) relay, I reminded him, ‘You’re 16. Many would give anything to be in your shoes. Some people dedicate their entire lives to track without ever making the team. I’m thrilled he got this opportunity to experience the intense atmosphere of the Olympics. When he returns, it will be a completely different story.’”
However, in the immediate aftermath of his performance, Wilson was not in a mindset to reflect on these encouraging words. His frustration over the 47.27 seconds was evident. This reflection may ultimately serve as a crucial part of his Olympic journey. The young athlete was not content with merely participating; he had ambitions of achieving something extraordinary in his debut.
“He’s a competitor,” Russell observed. “Men are competitive by nature, but Quincy is exceptionally competitive. We were playing air hockey, and I quickly realized he doesn’t take it lightly. I lost by, like, five points.”
Wilson had envisioned making a mark in his first Olympic appearance, one that has been a long time coming. He has been watching others compete and achieve greatness while he waited for his moment. Thus far this season, he has set three under-18 records.
As Wilson sprinted out of the blocks in Lane 4, he initially held his ground through the first 200 meters, but it seemed he may have gone out too aggressively, fueled by the adrenaline of his Olympic debut. He began to tire on the second turn, revealing the experience and strength he still needs. By the final stretch, he found himself in sixth place, struggling to maintain his form as he was overtaken by Poland’s 20-year-old Maksymilian Szwed. The only runner with a slower time in the heat was Renny Quow of Trinidad and Tobago.
To compound Wilson’s challenges, Botswana made a strategic switch, placing Letsile Tebogo, the newly crowned 200-meter champion, in the first leg. Tebogo raced ahead, leaving the competition behind and setting a blistering pace.
Despite the odds, Wilson gave everything he had, and in a moment of sheer exhaustion, he nearly came to a halt before handing off the baton. Fortunately for the U.S., strong runners were waiting behind him. “They got me around the track today,” he reflected. “My grit and determination got me here. I knew I had three incredible legs behind me, and it wasn’t just about me today. If it had been, we would have been in last place.”
Norwood quickly made up ground on the second leg, running a phenomenal 43.54 seconds, the fastest of any leg in the first round, pulling ahead of Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith, who finished in 43.87 seconds. They were the only two runners to break the 44-second mark.
Bryce Deadmon took over from Norwood and surged the U.S. team into fourth place after the first turn. His performance on the third leg was also the fastest, putting America in position to contend for a top spot. Anchor Christopher Bailey still had work to do, but he remained composed.
“That was the plan,” Norwood explained. “We put Quincy in a position where we didn’t want to give him too much responsibility. It was my job to take on as much as I could.”
Wilson’s best chance to remain on the final roster depended on delivering an exceptional performance. His disappointment in not achieving that was palpable, but it may serve as a catalyst for his future endeavors. The experience of competing on such a grand stage, though bittersweet, may ultimately be invaluable to his growth as an athlete.
It’s worth noting that preliminary runners also receive recognition and rewards, not just the four who compete in the final. However, in the immediate aftermath, Wilson exhibited more frustration than gratitude. The competitive fire that got him to the Olympics will not allow him to easily dismiss his performance. This determination is why he feels confident about returning to this stage again in the future.
“It’s just going to be motivation for me,” Wilson stated, “to give my team a better chance than what they had today.”
GO DEEPER
For Quincy Wilson, teenage track prodigy, everything is different now—Olympics or not.
(Top photo of Quincy Wilson running in Friday’s 4×400-meter relay: Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
