The Paris Olympics have been dominated by well-established names and seasoned athletes, many of their mid-20s, fulfilling their career-long goals. However alongside the acquainted faces, two rising stars – 16-year-old Quincy Wilson and 19-year-old Alana Reid – stepped into the highlight, each making their Olympic debuts sooner slightly than later.
These children, voted AW’s Worldwide Junior Athletes of the 12 months, have climbed the ranks at lightning velocity, shattering information and expectations alongside the way in which.
Reid, the 100m and 4x100m world under-20 champion, and Wilson, who made historical past because the youngest observe and subject athlete to assert Olympic gold within the 4x400m relay, are setting the stage for the following era of expertise.
Wilson’s largest second got here in Paris due to the function he performed in Group USA’s 4x400m relay victory. The highschool junior from Maryland did battle on his lead-off leg, working a 47.27 break up and handing the baton off with Group USA in seventh place. With the stress of working on the massive stage at such a younger age, it was maybe to be anticipated and his workforce performed catch-up to qualify for the ultimate, the place they finally triumphed.
Quincy Wilson (Getty)
For Wilson, it shaped a part of an unforgettable season. Earlier than the Olympics, the Joe Lee-coached sprinter had already rewritten historical past books, breaking the 400m under-18 world document twice on the US Trials, clocking 44.66 in spherical one to 44.59 within the semi-finals.
It acquired even higher just some weeks later, as he lowered that mark once more with 44.20 in Gainesville, Florida.
That point would have been sufficient to make the person 400m in Paris and made him the Eleventh-fastest 400m runner on this planet this yr, in addition to the third-fastest American of 2024.
It isn’t simply the one-lap occasion the place he has excelled, although. In January, Wilson set an indoor under-18 500m world document, clocking a 1:01.27 on the VA Showcase. He additionally clocked a 1:50.44 to win the 800m at an occasion in Myrtle Seashore this yr.
Quincy Wilson (Getty)
For Reid, she managed to construct on a 2023 season that supplied a pivotal second in her profession. The dash sensation captured the world’s consideration along with her run of 10.92 on the ISSA Boys and Women Athletics Championships in Kingston which lowered Veronica Campbell-Brown’s 22-year-old championship document of 11.13, solidifying her as considered one of Jamaica’s brightest rising skills.
She underlined that by turning into the world U20 100m champion, claiming her first international title in Lima with a run of 11.17. She blasted out of the blocks and held her lead at some point of the race.
She is now a three-time world U20 medallist, with this yr’s gold medal an improve from her 200m bronze in 2022, whereas she additionally helped Jamaica win 4x100m gold in Peru.
Reid made headlines in her residence nation final yr when she made the daring transfer to coach in Florida with Star Athletics Observe Membership led by former Olympic champion Dennis Mitchell, the place she shares a observe with Sha’Carri Richardson and Twanisha Terry.
In Paris, the Jamaican 4x100m relay workforce she was a part of could have completed fifth within the ultimate, however that Olympic look marked a big step in her profession. The absence of legendary names corresponding to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson put further stress on the 19-year-old nevertheless it additionally represented her emergence as a part of the following wave of Jamaican sprinters, poised to hold the torch.
Alana Reid wins 100m gold (World Athletics)
Wilson and Reid have one factor in widespread beside their tender years: each are fearless of their pursuit of success, whereas their help techniques, each on and off the observe, have performed a key function of their progress.
Wilson, as an illustration, has obtained encouragement from the likes of Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles, to not point out non-athletics faces corresponding to Lebron James and Snoop Canine, whereas Reid advantages from the mentorship of Richardson, who has already had a profound influence on her.
“It’s a good feeling being round her,” Reid says of coaching alongside the world 100m champion. “She teaches me loads.”
The pair may even feed off the help of their followers they’ve welcomed in due to documenting their journeys as skilled athletes on YouTube, providing a behind-the-scenes have a look at their coaching and competitors experiences. It’s all a part of the rising development of the game’s stars sharing their tales to construct a stronger reference to the broader public.
What occurs subsequent for each of the sprinters will probably be fascinating. Whether or not they’re chasing extra Olympic glory or smashing information, one factor is for sure: the world will probably be watching.
» This characteristic first appeared within the December subject of AW journal. Subscribe to AW journal right here, take a look at our new podcast right here or signal as much as our digital archive of again points from 1945 to the current day right here
