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TEAM USA starlet Quincy Wilson has become the youngest male American track and field gold medalist in Olympic history.
The 16-year-old got to stand at the top of the podium after the US triumphed in the men’s 4×400-meter relay during the 2024 Paris Games – even though he didn’t run in the final.
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Rai Benjamin, Christopher Bailey, Vernon Norwood, and Bryce Deadmon represented America in Sunday’s gold medal race.
The quarter finished ahead of Botswana and Great Britain with a time of 2:54:43, setting a new Olympic record.
Wilson will leave Paris with a medal as well since he was part of the lineup in the opening-round heat on Friday.
The high schooler struggled in the qualifying race, though, clocking at 47.27 in the first leg.
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Team USA was in seventh place when the teenager handed off the baton to Norwood.
“It’s going to be motivation for me,” Wilson said of his race, per ESPN.
Still, Wilson accomplished an admirable feat in Paris.
In addition to becoming the youngest-ever male Olympic gold medalist in US track and field history, he also is the youngest male athlete to win gold in any sport since 1952.
Wilson couldn’t contain his excitement when he learned he would be included in the Team USA relay pool last month.
“When I got the call, I was like, I was ecstatic,” Wilson said via ESPN.
“I started running around the house.
“It was just a moment for me because everybody dreams about going to the Olympics as a young kid.”
