**SAINT-DENIS, France** – American teenage sprinter Quincy Wilson’s debut at the 2024 Olympics served as an essential learning experience for the 16-year-old athlete. Wilson made history by becoming the youngest male American athlete to compete in track and field at the Olympic Games. However, he faced disappointment, finishing seventh in his heat of the 4×400 meter relay.
Typically dominant in this event, the American sprinters required an impressive finish from Christopher Bailey on the anchor leg to qualify for the final. The team recorded a time of 2 minutes and 59.15 seconds and had to fight hard to secure advancement. There was a notable nearly three-second gap between Wilson and Letsile Tebogo of Botswana, who won gold in the 200 meters and was a last-minute substitute for the relay team. Wilson received support from his experienced teammates Vernon Norwood, Bryce Deadmon, and Bailey. “I wasn’t 100% myself, but my team came out here and did it for me,” Wilson said. “I knew I had three fantastic legs behind me, and it wasn’t just me. If it was just me, we would have finished last. But these guys gave it their all.”
It has been an exhilarating summer for Wilson, who already has a sponsorship deal with New Balance and delayed his driving test to focus on his Olympic dream in Paris. He set two world under-18 records in the 400 meters during the U.S. Olympic Trials in June, clocking times of 44.66 and 44.59 seconds. His opening time on Friday was 47.27 seconds.
“I don’t want to elaborate on why I wasn’t 100% ready for the race,” said Wilson, who had his family in the stands to support him. With this appearance, he became the youngest male American athlete to compete in track and field at the Olympics, breaking the previous record held by Arthur Newton, who participated in 1904 at the age of 17.
Norwood was caught up in the moment until he received the baton. “I see a 16-year-old running in the Olympics and making history,” Norwood said. “I thought, ‘Wow, back up and let me get the baton and get going.’” He encouraged Wilson to enjoy the moment before they stepped onto the track. “I am very proud of him,” Norwood added.
Tebogo, who won the 200 meters, was hastily added to the relay team after a teammate was injured. “I rushed back to my room, grabbed my stuff, and came back,” said Tebogo, who barely had a chance to rest after his celebration but still managed to impress on the track. “It wasn’t planned for me to run,” Tebogo remarked. “It took me by surprise.”
In the women’s 4×400 meter relay, the team consisting of Quanera Hayes, Shamier Little, Aaliyah Butler, and Kaylyn Brown won their heat by over three seconds ahead of Great Britain. “The word of the day for our group was ‘balanced’,” Little stated. “I mean, we did a really good job executing that.”
Stay tuned for the latest updates from the Olympics and the medal standings to follow the day’s events.