Both sprinters, named as AW’s International U20 Athletes of the Year, have wasted little time in making their mark on the track
The Paris Olympics were dominated by well-established names and seasoned athletes, many in their mid-20s, fulfilling their career-long dreams. But alongside the familiar faces, two rising stars – 16-year-old Quincy Wilson and 19-year-old Alana Reid – stepped into the spotlight, both making their Olympic debuts sooner rather than later.
These youngsters, voted AW’s International Junior Athletes of the Year, have climbed the ranks at lightning speed, shattering records and expectations along the way.
Reid, the 100m and 4x100m world under-20 champion, and Wilson, who made history as the youngest track and field athlete to claim 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 high school junior from Maryland did struggle on his lead-off leg, running a 47.27 split and handing the baton off with Team USA in seventh place. With the pressure of running on the big stage at such a young age, it was perhaps to be expected and his team played catch-up to qualify for the final, where they ultimately triumphed.
Quincy Wilson (Getty)
For Wilson, it formed part of an unforgettable season. Before the Olympics, the Joe Lee-coached sprinter had already rewritten history books, breaking the 400m under-18 world record twice at the US Trials, clocking 44.66 in round one to 44.59 in the semi-finals.
It got even better just a few weeks later, as he lowered that mark again with 44.20 in Gainesville, Florida.
That time would have been enough to make the individual 400m in Paris and made him the 11th-fastest 400m runner in the world this year, as well as the third-fastest American of 2024.
It isn’t just the one-lap event where he has excelled, though. In January, Wilson set an indoor under-18 500m world record, clocking a 1:01.27 at the VA Showcase. He also clocked a 1:50.44 to win the 800m at an event in Myrtle Beach this year.
Quincy Wilson (Getty)
For Reid, she managed to build on a 2023 season that provided a pivotal moment in her career. The sprint sensation captured the world’s attention with her run of 10.92 at the ISSA Boys and Girls Athletics Championships in Kingston which lowered Veronica Campbell-Brown’s 22-year-old championship record of 11.13, solidifying her as one of Jamaica’s brightest emerging talents.
She underlined that by becoming the world U20 100m champion, claiming her first global title in Lima with a run of 11.17. She blasted out of the blocks and held her lead for the duration of the race.
She is now a three-time world U20 medallist, with this year’s gold medal an upgrade from her 200m bronze in 2022, while she also helped Jamaica win 4x100m gold in Peru.
Reid made headlines in her home nation last year when she made the bold move to train in Florida with Star Athletics Track Club led by former Olympic champion Dennis Mitchell, where she shares a track with Sha’Carri 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. The absence of legendary names such as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson put additional pressure on the 19-year-old but it also represented her emergence as part of the next wave of Jamaican sprinters, poised to carry the torch.
Alana Reid wins 100m gold (World Athletics)
Wilson and Reid have one thing in common beside their tender years: 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 instance, has received encouragement from the likes of Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles, not to mention non-athletics faces such as Lebron James and Snoop Dog, while Reid benefits from the mentorship of Richardson, who has already had a profound impact on her.
“It is a good feeling being around her,” Reid says of training alongside the world 100m champion. “She teaches me a lot.”
The pair will also feed off the support of their fans they have welcomed in thanks to documenting their journeys as professional athletes on YouTube, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their training and competition experiences. It’s all part of the growing trend of the sport’s stars sharing their stories to build a stronger connection with the wider public.
What happens next for both of the sprinters will be fascinating. Whether they are chasing more Olympic glory or smashing records, one thing is for certain: the world will be watching.
» This feature first appeared in the December issue of AW magazine. Subscribe to AW magazine here, check out our new podcast here or sign up to our digital archive of back issues from 1945 to the present day here
