Quincy Wilson made history as the youngest American athlete to compete in an Olympic track & field event. But his inexperience nearly cost Team USA a shot at the men’s 4x400m final.
The high schooler had a rough opening leg of the men’s 4x400m relay in the first round on Friday. Wilson faded fast and handed off the baton dead last.
Fortunately, U.S. sprinters Vernon Norwood, Bryce Deadmon and Christopher Bailey each ran strong legs to finish in 3rd place and advance to the 4x400m final on Saturday.
Wilson responded to the criticism after the race on Friday.
“I wasn’t 100 percent myself, but my team came out here and did it for me,” he said. “I know I had a great three legs behind me. If it was just myself, we’d be in last place, but these guys came out there and gave it their all. From first all the way to fourth leg, they ran their hearts out.”
Wilson declined to explain further. “There’s a lot of different things, but I’d rather not answer,” he said.
Track fans criticized the U.S. coaches for putting a child in the race against grown men.
Wilson wasn’t supposed to be an Olympian. He failed to qualify for the 4x400m at the US Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon in June.
However, Wilson’s coach, Joe Lee, confirmed to ESPN that Wilson had been added to the Team USA relay pool as an alternate at the last minute.
The U.S. coaches have a tough decision for Saturday’s 4x400m final. They have to decide whether to put Wilson in the race and risk losing the gold medal.
But if the decision was left up to Vernon Norwood, Wilson would run the opening lap again.
Before the race, Norwood pulled Wilson to the side. “You belong here,” Norwood told the youngster. “This is the Olympics. Nobody in this world is getting this opportunity, so make the most of it.”
16-year-old Quincy Wilson makes his Olympic debut and becomes the youngest male track & field athlete to compete for the United States at the Olympics. ?? #ParisOlympics
? USA Network & Peacock pic.twitter.com/XJ4HudX0Dx
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 9, 2024
After he made American track & field history, 16-year-old Quincy Wilson’s competitors showed him love after the race. ?? #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/lXfg0jJYnd
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 9, 2024
