For some, qualifying for the Olympics might be a lifelong dream. But when your name is Quincy Wilson, that’s not a dream. That’s just another tick mark on the bucket list. After all, at Paris 2024 last year, he didn’t just compete; he became a gold medalist. But while most might think that he must be feeling elated, there is far too much pressure for a 17-year-old. But Wilson is different. And he isn’t done. He has already thought up what he expects and wants from his career. But what is that?
Well, for that, we might need to go back to last year. After all, back in March 2024, Wilson stunned the world as he set the U18 world record in the 400m indoors! Not getting complacent, Wilson followed it up by running yet another blistering 400m race. This time in the outdoor version. And once again, he broke the world record. Representing the Maryland Bullis School, Quincy Wilson is also the current reigning indoor and outdoor 400m record holder in high school.
Now, while this seems quite an overwhelming list of accolades, all of this might just have come to Wilson a tad too soon. And Wilson is pretty much aware of the same. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Forbes, Wilson doubled down on how he has been achieving great things from an early age. “I feel like (my success) did come at a fast pace,” Wilson.
The Olympic gold medalist further detailed how he had a breakout year in his middle school that brought him into prominence. Wilson also revealed that he ran 47.5 as an eighth grader to turn significant eyeballs in the track world. And all these early successes have certainly put Wilson under pressure. “At Bullis, I don’t even think he expected my freshman year to go the way that it went out,” added Wilson.
Surely, such a shining CV only denotes one thing. Quincy Wilson is a champion in the making. And surely, the 17-year-old knows that fully well. Doubling down on his mindset, Wilson said, “I’ve always just tried to be the last one standing.” Wilson continued to say that the only thing he needs is a proper tactic.
“Once I find the tactic, I just think to myself, If I can beat him on this leg, I’m going to stick to it!” concluded Wilson. Now then, despite all the shining accolades ornamenting his cabinet, Wilson has been recently under a lot of pressure with continued setbacks.
Quincy Wilson’s unbeatable aura finally gets challenged this year
Quincy Wilson isn’t used to chasing shadows. For the better part of his young career, the Bullis School sprinting prodigy has had the track at his feet and records falling in his wake. But lately, the script has flipped. With some close losses piling up against some of the fiercest names in high school and college athletics, Wilson now finds himself navigating unfamiliar territory: ‘defeat.’
The turning point came at the Pepsi Florida Relays, where Quincy anchored Bullis in the 4x400m relay, only to be hunted down in the final stretch by Miami Northwestern’s Tywan Cox. The Miami sprinter’s 45.14 anchor split was a jaw-dropping display of raw speed and a statement. Later, Cox shared, “I wasn’t really worried. I just knew I had to go out there and execute.”
It wasn’t just a race. No, it was a dethroning. With Cox dragging his team across the line ahead of Wilson’s, it marked a symbolic changing of the guard. But the sting didn’t stop in Florida. Earlier in the season, Andrew Salvodon stunned everyone at the VA Showcase by beating Wilson in the 500m. Not to mention, in the process, Salvodon also clocked a national record. But this was not the end.
At the Millrose Games, it was NCAA standout Will Sumner, who added to the list, outlasting Quincy in a brutal 600m clash. The momentum that once pushed Quincy Wilson forward for a moment seemed to be against him. But Quincy, being Quincy, showed up in style at the NB indoors. He won just like how it was expected of him. And he did it in style. But there is much more yet to come. But Quincy is ready.
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