Both sprinters, named AW International Under-20 Athletes of the Year, wasted little time in making their mark on the track.
The Paris Olympics were dominated by big names and seasoned athletes, many in their 20s, fulfilling long-held dreams. and Olympic debuts sooner rather than later.
Voted AW’s International Youth Athlete of the Year, these youngsters have risen through the ranks at lightning speed, shattering records and expectations along the way.
Reid, the U20 world champion in the 100m and 4x100m, and Wilson, who made history as the youngest track and field athlete to win Olympic gold in the 4x400m relay, are setting the stage for the next generation of talent.
Wilson’s biggest moment came in Paris thanks to the role he played in Team USA’s 4x400m relay victory The pressure of running on the big stage was perhaps to be expected and his team played to qualify for the final. where they eventually won.
Quincy Wilson (Getty)
It was part of an unforgettable season for Wilson, who before the Olympics had already rewritten the history books by breaking the U18 400m world record twice at the US trials, clocking 44.66 in the first round and 44.59 in the semi-finals.
It got better just a few weeks later, as he lowered that mark again with a 44.20 in Gainesville, Florida.
That time would have been enough for an individual to run the 400m in Paris and made him the 11th-fastest 400m runner in the world this year, as well as the third-fastest American in 2024.
It’s not just the one-lap event she’s excelled in, though.In January, Wilson set the under-18 indoor world record of 1:01.27 at the event in Myrtle Beach this year time to win the 800m race.
Quincy Wilson (Getty)
For Reid, she was able to build on a pivotal 2023 season. The sprint sensation caught the world’s attention at the ISSA Boys and Girls Track and Field Championships in Kingston with a time of 10.92 that eclipsed Veronica Campbell-Brown’s 22-year-old championship record of 11.13. cementing him as one of Jamaica’s brightest emerging talents.
He highlighted that by becoming the under-20 world champion, winning his first world title in Lima with a time of 11.17.He flew out of the blocks and maintained his lead throughout the race.
He is now a three-time world under-20 medallist, with this year’s gold up from 2022’s 200m bronze, while he also helped Jamaica to 4x100m gold in Peru.
Reid made headlines in her home country last year when she made the bold move to train in Florida with the Star Athletics Track Club, led by former Olympic champion Dennis Mitchell, where she shares the track with Sha’Kari Richardson and Twanisha Terry.
In Paris, the Jamaican 4x100m relay team she was part of may have finished fifth in the final, but that Olympic appearance marked a significant step in her career. year-old girl, but it also heralded her emergence as part of the next wave of Jamaican sprinters, who were ready to carry the torch.
Alana Reid wins 100m gold (World Athletics)
Despite their tender years, Wilson and Reid have one thing in common. both are fearless in their pursuit of success, while their support systems, both on and off the track, have played a key role in their progress.
Wilson, for example, has been inspired by the likes of Olympic 100-meter champion Noah Lyles, not to mention non-athletic figures like LeBron James and Snoop Dogg, while Reid benefits from the mentorship of Richardson, who has already been a big influence on him. him.
“It’s a good feeling to be around him,” Reed said of training alongside the 100m world champion. “He teaches me a lot.”
The pair will also feed off the support of their fans, who they’ve welcomed by documenting their journeys as professional athletes on YouTube, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their training and competition experiences, all part of a growing trend of sports stars sharing their stories more to create a strong connection with the general public.
What happens next for the two sprinters will be fascinating, whether they are chasing more Olympic glory or breaking records, one thing is for sure. the world will follow.
» This feature first appeared in the December issue of AW magazine. Subscribe to AW Magazine herecheck out our new podcast! here or subscribe to our digital archive of back issues from 1945 to the present day here
