Paris Olympics: Wilson, 16, could be US’ youngest male runner at Games after latest feat
- Heading to Games with US 4x400 metres relay squad, he makes his case to run by breaking under-18 world record
Quincy Wilson, the 16-year-old sensation who is headed to the Olympics as part of the US 4x400 metres relay pool, made his case to compete in Paris with a sizzling 44.20 seconds at a meet in Gainesville, Florida.
Wilson broke the under-18 world record, taking control before the final straight of the race on Friday local time, holding off reigning Olympic 4x400m relay gold medallist Bryce Deadmon, who finished second in 44.23.
It was another impressive performance from Wilson, who finished sixth in the 400m final at the US Olympic athletics trials to earn a chance at a Paris relay berth.
If put on the relay, he could become the youngest US male athletics competitor to appear at an Olympics, surpassing Jim Ryun, who was 17 when he ran in Tokyo in 1964.
In other events in the Holloway Pro Classic, part of the American Track League series, 2023 world championships silver medallist Erriyon Knighton tuned up for the Olympics with a 200m victory in 19.92.