Imagine going to the world-famous Olympic Games and then going to algebra class the next week. This 16-year-old, Quincy Wilson, managed to do so, and even broke world records for male track and field in the process. Millions had been watching his performance in the 2024 Olympics due to the fact that he is extremely talented and the youngest male athlete to ever compete in the games.
Wilson, who has recently finished his sophomore year at Bullis High School, had already surpassed numerous records while he was simply running for his high school’s track and field team. At the New Balance Nationals meet alone, he carried his team to victory while obtaining a national record with other talented individuals in the 400-meter relay. This event took place just one week before the Olympic trials and ultimately guaranteed his spot in the games. Wilson was no stranger to breaking records at this point, either, having done so ever since he was a young child. This includes a year earlier, when he had won his school championship against other athletes much older than him.
Wilson became well known for his track abilities worldwide when he broke the world record for the 400-meter dash for minors two times in the span of three days. This record had previously been held for 42 years, making this young athlete one to remember. He amazed the world once more when he broke the record again with a time of 44.20 seconds in Florida just a couple of weeks later. This earned him a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics and placed him in the top three of American runners this year. His star power brought him some celebrity fans, one of them being Ray Lewis. Lewis is a famous NFL player for the Baltimore Ravens and even sent the young athlete a message of encouragement before his event. This was especially exciting for Wilson, because he has been a huge fan of Ray Lewis throughout his whole childhood.
Overall, Quincy Wilson’s performance in the 2024 Olympics was extremely impressive and unlike anything seen before. The recognition he received was justified given his skills, and the records he has been breaking for years. Wilson has a lot of talent for his age, so seeing how he progresses in the future will be very exciting.
