"QUINCY WILSON DESERVES TO BE ON TEAM": RAI BENJAMIN ON 16-YEAR-OLD'S INCLUSION IN USA'S 4X400 RELAY POOL AFTER 6TH PLACE FINISH AT US OLYMPIC TRIALS

American sprinter and hurdler Rai Benjamin recently asserted that Quincy Wilson deserved a spot in the 4x400m relay pool after his remarkable performance at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials. Despite being just 16 years old, Wilson was impressive as he defeated many prominent quarter-milers on his way to the finals.

Wilson registered below the 45.00s mark in both heats and semis of the men's 400m at the U.S. Olympic trials, clocking times of 44.66s and 44.59s to advance into the finals. Notably, both these timings were U18 world records. In the finals, he came sixth, with another sub 45.00s performance of 44.94s.

Although he couldn't qualify in the individual event as only the top three in an event make the Olympics, the 16-year-old can still make it to the team in the 4x400 relay pool if the USATF chooses him for the Paris Olympics squad.

Rai Benjamin, who is renowned for being the world's second fastest 400m hurdler with a 46.17s and multiple Olympic and World Championships medalist, spoke during a media interaction about Quincy Wilson's inclusion in the 4x400 relay pool, stating (via FloTrack):

"I definitely think he deserves it, like the kid came out here in 44, in three rounds, he deserves to be there, he deserves to be on the team."

He added:

"I think, seeing what we've done over the past couple of years, I think we've really needed a technical meeting to really discuss things and let people know the gravity of the situation that we're in and what the expectations are, and he's a 16-year-old kid. Well, he came out here and did well, it's an entirely different feeling when you're in a championship, a different championship setting."

The 2023 Diamond League champion also mentioned how he was not worried about Wilson's technical abilities, stating:

"I wouldn't say, I'm not worried about him on the technical side of things. Cuz he's run multiple 4x400m, and he knows how to keep it human, his coach know how to keep it simple. So I would definitely, he deserves it, the kid ran freaking well. We can't take that away from him."

A look into Quincy Wilson's brilliant 2024 season

Quincy Wilson first made headlines after clocking a U18 world indoor record of 45.76s at the 2024 New Balance Nationals Indoors to defend his 400m title. He then went on to clock 44.37s and 44.69s splits in the 4x400m relay (High School Boys Championship event) during the prelims and heats at the Penn Relays.

Wilson also featured in the Pepsi Florida Relays and New Balance Nationals Outdoors in the 400m where he produced times of 45.19s and 45.13s to emerge as the winner. Quincy Wilson's impressive performances throughout the season made him one of the promising athletes to look out for.

2024-06-28T22:43:44Z dg43tfdfdgfd