Quincy Wilson, the 16-year-old Bullis School track star representing Team USA in the Paris Olympics, made history Friday by becoming the youngest male Olympian in 128 years of United States Track and Field history.
According to Olympic historian Bill Mallon, Wilson, who achieved the designation with his leadoff leg of the men’s 4×400 meter relay, broke a record previously held by Arthur Newton, who debuted in the steeplechase in 1904.
While the race may not have been up to the lofty standards that Wilson has set for himself, as he led off the relay in 47.27 seconds, it represented a historic moment for him and U.S. Track as a whole.
16-year-old Quincy Wilson officially makes American history as the youngest male track & field athlete to compete at the Olympics for Team USA. 👏 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/aiOH18oRzr
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) August 9, 2024
Despite his relatively poor showing, the relay qualified for finals after strong showings from the rest of the relay, which consisted of Wilson, Vernon Norwood, Bryce Deadmon and Cristopher Bailey.
Wilson, who has made waves this year by lowering the under-18 400 meter world record twice and running sub-45 seconds in the event three times at U.S. Olympic Trials, is not guaranteed to run again in Saturday’s final. It is commonplace for relay participants to be swapped out; notably, 400 meter gold medalist Quincy Hall did not compete in the relay in prelims, but could be subbed in for finals.
Regardless of whether Wilson runs in finals, he will receive a medal should the relay post a top-three finish.
