"I gave everything I had"- 16-year-old Quincy Wilson reflects on his sixth-place finish in men's 400m final at U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials

Quincy Wilson has gone down memory lane, reflecting on his sixth-place finish in the men’s 400m final at the US Olympic trials at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. The 16-year-old clocked 44.94 to cross the finish line.

Quincy Wilson started his chase for history in the heats, clocking a world under-18 record of 44.66 to win the race. In the semifinal, the youngster shattered the world under-18 record again, clocking 44.59 to finish third, to proceed to the final, where things took a different turn as he ended up finishing sixth.

Wilson missed the ticket to the Paris Olympics in the individual event but he has a chance to qualify in the relay. The men’s 400m will have Quincy Hall, Michael Norman, and Chris Bailey representing at the Olympics.

Following his sixth-place finish, Quincy Wilson admitted that he gave his best and was hoping for a better outcome. He added that his main focus was on the race and as he descended on the track, he knew it was time to make history.

"That’s what I was doing…I was focusing on the race and what I could have done and you know, when I came out on lane two I was like, 'You only got one chance, this is the final, this could be your last open 400m of the season.' I just gave it everything I had, like that last 100m I really did give it everything I had," Wilson told Citius Mag.

Quincy Wilson disclosed that his coach Joe Lee has been instrumental in his career success so far. Wilson revealed that Lee’s wise words before he took to the start line changed his mindset.

"Coach Joe Lee just kept me on a level mind, 'Just go out there and run your race, like you are just as good, you’ve done so many things so just keep focusing,'" he added.

Quincy Wilson breaks world under-18 record twice at US Olympic trials

2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field - Day 4

Maryland native Quincy Wilson was on fire during the US Olympic trials, where he broke the world under-18 record twice.

The Bullis High School student was off to a great start in the heats, winning with an impressive 44.66 to break the long-standing under-18 world record. The record was set back in 1982 by Darrell Robinson and had stood for 42 years.

Quincy Wilson was not done when he returned for the semifinal and shattered his record, clocking 44.59 to finish third. The 16-year-old faltered in the final, however, finishing sixth in 44.94 to miss out on the 400m to the Olympics.

Nonetheless, he still has a chance to qualify for the Olympics through the 4x400m relay. As per the USA track and field guidelines, the top three athletes to cross the finish line automatically make it to the relay team.

A reserve can also be named with the other two selections being made at the discretion of the committee.