Wilson has talked about the unforgettable experience of meeting high-profile stars like LeBron James.
In a summer that has set new standards for youth success, American prodigy Quincy Wilson has made history as the youngest-ever Olympic gold medalist in track and field at just 16 years old, achieving an unprecedented level of fame.
Wilson was a member of the U.S. men’s 4×400-meter relay team that won gold at the Paris Olympics.
Even though Wilson didn’t race in the final, his performance in the preliminary round earned him the Olympic gold medal.
At 5-foot-9, Wilson had already showcased his talent before the Olympics. He dominated the 400-meter race against high school competitors at Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland, and impressed at the U.S. Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Oregon, in June.
Wilson ran a sub-45-second 400 in three consecutive rounds, finishing sixth in the final. His impressive rise continued with a record-breaking performance in Florida on July 18, where he set a new Under-18 world record with a time of 44.20 seconds, outperforming a field of professionals.
This remarkable time was the 11th-fastest globally for the season, the fourth-fastest by an American, and would have placed sixth in the Olympic 400-meter final.
Looking back on his swift rise, Wilson expressed his thrill at his new celebrity status, particularly at the Olympics, where he was amazed to discover that well-known stars like LeBron James were already aware of him before he had the chance to introduce himself.
“It was amazing because before that, I wanted to make sure that I’d seen LeBron James, and when I got there, it was just like, ‘what is up LeBron, you wanna know who I am?’” Wilson told FOX 5 Washington DC, still in awe.
“It was crazy that the likes of LeBron and Steph (Curry) all knew who I was.”
Wilson’s Olympic experience was nothing short of surreal. “It was a dream come true. I never thought that at 16 years old, you would be standing on the biggest platform of your life,” he reflected.
“When you think about track and field, the highest field you can get to is the Olympic games. I was there at 16, and it was just like, really a dream to see all the supporters and people from different countries boo you and different things.
“So it was amazing getting to represent Team USA, and getting the stick around was the main goal, which we were able to do, and we got a gold medal.”
One of the most unforgettable moments for Wilson was the star-studded interactions he experienced.
“It was a big thing, you know. Everyone saw me walking down the aisle, and when I looked up, I was like, ‘is that Jay Z?’ My mom was about to pass out, I was about to pass out, everyone was about to pass out, but it was a great time meeting them.
“That was the first time I got nervous sitting next to a person, and it was amazing.”
Wilson’s debut on the international stage has raised significant expectations as he looks forward to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Before he can focus on preparing for another Olympic appearance, the 16-year-old star must first address a more immediate concern—beginning his junior year of high school.
