16-year-old phenom sets second U18 world record to reach final at U.S. Olympic Trials

The biggest story out of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Ore., has been 16-year-old sprint phenom Quincy Wilson of Potomac, Md. After setting a U18 world record in the men’s 400m heats, Wilson followed up with another world record of 44.59 seconds in the semi-finals. He now has the chance to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team in the men’s 400m final on Monday night.

Wilson competed in a loaded men’s 400m semi-final against former world championship medallists Bryce Deadmon and Vernon Norwood. He was in fifth position at the 200m mark but found a late surge to finish third, earning one of the three fastest non-automatic qualifier spots into the men’s 400m final.

At 16, Wilson will have a chance to make U.S. Olympic history on Monday night and become the youngest male track and field athlete to qualify for an Olympic Games. (At 17, American sprinter Erriyon Knighton qualified for Tokyo 2020 in the men’s 200m at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2021.) 

For Wilson to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team, it might take another world record run, as he will go up against 2022 world 400m champion Michael Norman.

Lyles wins, Christian Coleman misses U.S. Olympic team

The world’s biggest track and field star, Noah Lyles, put on a show on Sunday evening, winning the men’s 100m in a new personal best time of 9.83 seconds. The biggest shock of the race was world indoor champion Christian Coleman missing out on a top-three Olympic spot; Coleman finished fourth, in 9.93 seconds.

Sneaking into the second and third spots for Team USA were 200m specialist Kenny Bednarek (9.87) and reigning Olympic silver medallist in the 100m, Fred Kerley (9.88). Lyles, Kerley and Bednarek will make up the U.S. 100m sprint team in Paris.

Earlier this year, Lyles said his goal in Paris is to become the first male to win four Olympic gold medals in track and field at one Games. He will also contest the men’s 200m at the U.S. Trials later this week, where he will be the favourite to win.

For the schedule and full results from the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, check here.