If anybody in the world knows talent in the 400-meter races, it’s Michael Johnson, a four-time gold medalist at the Olympics and an eight-time winner of the World Championships gold medal. After the latest record set by teenager Quincy Wilson, Johnson has seen enough.
“I haven’t commented on this kid. Because typically it leads to predictions of his future, and people don’t understand it’s more complex than simply ‘so fast so young = really fast older,'” Johnson posted onto social media platform X. “It’s not that simple.”
That was until Friday when Wilson set a U18 400-meter world record with a 44.20 run at the Holloway Pro Classic in Florida.
“But now I must speak,” Johnson continued in the same post. “GOD DAMN!!! This kid is impressive!”
See his quote-tweet of the race here:
Okay, I haven’t commented on this kid. Because typically it leads to predictions of his future, and people don’t understand it’s more complex than simply “so fast so young=really fast older”it’s not that simple. But now I must speak. GOD DAMN!!! This kid is impressive! https://t.co/JK0Y9GuxTb
— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) July 20, 2024
Wilson has been well-regarded in track and field for some time but proved his potential this year after starting with a personal best of 45.87, according to LetsRun.com. He has now set a new personal record seven times this year, including twice in the Olympic qualifiers. While he did not qualify for an individual race, Wilson is part of the men’s relay pool.
With his performances, the 16-year-old has captured the attention of legends. This time, it’s Johnson, who became the only male to win gold in both the 200- and 400-meter races in the same Olympics when he blistered the field in the 1996 Atlanta Games and then defended his 400-meter championship in the 2000 Sydney Games.
The world will be watching as the 2024 Paris Olympics begin with the youngest-ever U.S. male track Olympian serving as one of the six runners in the pool for the 4×400 team.
