I like his post race interview - saying racing older guys is all the same because they all have to lace up the shoes and give it their best, and he's just happy to be able to be out there competing with them. Wishing him luck in the finals.
If you think for one second that this kid hasnt worked his a$ off and sacrificed things other kids get to experience, you are absolutely wrong and need to give credit where credit is due.
I bet if you knew more about his last 4 years you'd rethink your perspective.
Yeah… except that’s every guy out there with the exact same or very similar story too. Working hard, going above and beyond, sure he may be a kid, but don’t think that just cause he is the other guys didn’t work just as hard. That is the point; the older guys have put in that amount of work, times 3 or something (because they have had much more time to train in their lives) I made sure to clearly say that the guy deserved his success, and I’m happy for him! I just feel bad for those older than him that lost their spots (spot) is all, but then again, it’s not like those top guys losing to him didn’t beat others who could have trained even more than them but just lacked the genetics a bit more, I’m just trying to highlight how unfair this sport is sometimes, it’s easy to get overlooked by someone else’s innate talent
I am struggling to understand how this makes the sport unfair.
This isn't new to Quincy Wilson. He's been an elite athlete since at least 10 years old. I would guess he's spent at least half his life running track.
Go back and look at his USATF or AAU Junior Olympic races. A ten year old running a 55 second 400m is something to see.
I felt something, too. The sense of defeat the older runner must feel to watch the popping of their delusion. So close, but not … just an also ran. We have potential for so long, until it is late or past in the game, and we discover the ceiling of our ride as we watch someone else blow through it.
the op is addressing something nuanced in our humanity. Something which could be sad, or expansive, or both, about the nature of time and competition.
I love seeing a fresh, youthful talent because it brings a certain level of innocence back to the sport. We will never return to the day when the top miler stopped at the NYAC after work to work out, but when a young athlete comes along and steals the spotlight, that is the closest we will get to a true amateur. That is also the closest we will get to seeing a personality, rather than a manufactured image.
there’s something fun about cheering for a high schooler in a pro race, but it feels wrong too. He worked for much less time and dedicated much less overall to this sport, and is able to beat people who have put in 4x the work…because of genetics (and hard work don’t get me wrong but much less than his competitors)
I mean, it’s cool but it also makes me feel terrible for the guys losing spots because of some phenom. I’m not saying those competing against him at the trials arent and weren’t super talented either of course, but it’s different, most were never able to seemingly “effortlessly” beat people twice their age with a fraction of their training. Anyway, yeah, it’s cool to see a fast kid, no it’s not cool for me to see people get beat by someone who has put in so much less work and dedication just because of talent, an uncontrollable thing. It’s the unfortunate reality of the sport
Do you people ever really think before you create your posts? Unless it's just for trolling. This is so darn stupid.
I felt something, too. The sense of defeat the older runner must feel to watch the popping of their delusion. So close, but not … just an also ran. We have potential for so long, until it is late or past in the game, and we discover the ceiling of our ride as we watch someone else blow through it.
the op is addressing something nuanced in our humanity. Something which could be sad, or expansive, or both, about the nature of time and competition.
I rethought what I said a bit and I’ll admit I probably didn’t give him enough credit, he has a ton of pressure on him and other things, but I still don’t understand, does no one feel bad for the 28+ year olds getting beat by someone half their age, cause the reason they’re getting beat sure isnt a lack of training or dedication
Washing machines work hard. I don't feel bad when they don't make Olympic finals. I appreciate the empathy of the OP but it is misplaced. No one out there deserves to - or is entitled to - a win.
I see what you’re saying. Yes, I think it’s fair to empathize with the age 28+ athletes who’ve been working hard for as long as (or even longer than) Quincy has been alive, only to miss out on a spot because of this precocious kid. That said, talent has always been a huge part of success in sport, and Quincy is obviously a prodigy.
I don’t feel bad at all for rooting for Quincy because he is fresh, exciting, and appears to have the potential to be a future star in this event. He may not be ready to contend for a medal this year, but it would be great for him and for Team USA if he gains Olympic experience this summer so he has that under his belt by the time 2028 rolls around, when he’ll presumably be ready to vie for gold in front of an American crowd.
To me, the three most interesting points of an athlete’s career arc are:
their beginning, when we get excited by their potential (Quincy)
their peak, when we are in awe of what they can do (Bolt in 2008-2009)
their twilight, when we are rooting for them to hang on for one last hurrah (Bekele this year)
With Quincy, it feels like we are witnessing the start of something special. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.
Run it like it's a final, or it will be your final.
Repeat: How do I run this semifinal?
Repeat: Like it's your final...
Repeat: How do I run this final?
RUN TO WIN!!!!!
This is what we see with well coached newbs that listen to their coaches. There has been no holding back for Quincy. He is giving his all because he wont get another chance this time around if he doesnt or thinks/calculates too much. Hard for a lot of people to understand because they've never been there and probably gave up on their dreams before really finding out what they are capable of because it was too hard.
PS. I love semifinals because anything can happen in the final if you can just get there.
Just like anyone that show huge potential at an early age IF he is able to surround himself with good people the sky is the limit. However, there will be an endless list of hangers on, and guides, and agents, and coaches, and ... you name it trying to get a piece of him. THAT could derail him quicker than anything. I hope he can avoid those traps and become a huge star.
there’s something fun about cheering for a high schooler in a pro race, but it feels wrong too. He worked for much less time and dedicated much less overall to this sport, and is able to beat people who have put in 4x the work…because of genetics (and hard work don’t get me wrong but much less than his competitors)
I mean, it’s cool but it also makes me feel terrible for the guys losing spots because of some phenom. I’m not saying those competing against him at the trials arent and weren’t super talented either of course, but it’s different, most were never able to seemingly “effortlessly” beat people twice their age with a fraction of their training. Anyway, yeah, it’s cool to see a fast kid, no it’s not cool for me to see people get beat by someone who has put in so much less work and dedication just because of talent, an uncontrollable thing. It’s the unfortunate reality of the sport
I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Not just in sports but in many disciplines and arts hard work and dedication dont always win the day. Been smacked in the gob by that myself in a couple areas. But people love to see new talent emerge and show promise. Most of the phenoms fade before maturing in their thing. Some go on to great things. Its fun to guess whos gonna stay the course and achieve greatness. This young man is just a step or year or two away from that--barring injury, ennui, plateau-itis, or a case of premature ego-inflation.
I felt something, too. The sense of defeat the older runner must feel to watch the popping of their delusion. So close, but not … just an also ran. We have potential for so long, until it is late or past in the game, and we discover the ceiling of our ride as we watch someone else blow through it.
the op is addressing something nuanced in our humanity. Something which could be sad, or expansive, or both, about the nature of time and competition.
Then don't cheer for him. Why come on here and biatch about it. He's better than you and others. Send the fastest.
there’s something fun about cheering for a high schooler in a pro race, but it feels wrong too. He worked for much less time and dedicated much less overall to this sport, and is able to beat people who have put in 4x the work…because of genetics (and hard work don’t get me wrong but much less than his competitors)
I mean, it’s cool but it also makes me feel terrible for the guys losing spots because of some phenom. I’m not saying those competing against him at the trials arent and weren’t super talented either of course, but it’s different, most were never able to seemingly “effortlessly” beat people twice their age with a fraction of their training. Anyway, yeah, it’s cool to see a fast kid, no it’s not cool for me to see people get beat by someone who has put in so much less work and dedication just because of talent, an uncontrollable thing. It’s the unfortunate reality of the sport
You got a lot of downvotes but I think you are on to something. Quincy is freaky quick for his age and level of physical maturation. He's got some kind of hidden but important physiologic advantage for long sprinting unlike anything we've seen before. And he seems likely to dominate more and more with each passing year. At least, from my U.S.-centric viewpoint, I hope so!
I see what you’re saying. Yes, I think it’s fair to empathize with the age 28+ athletes who’ve been working hard for as long as (or even longer than) Quincy has been alive, only to miss out on a spot because of this precocious kid. That said, talent has always been a huge part of success in sport, and Quincy is obviously a prodigy.
I don’t feel bad at all for rooting for Quincy because he is fresh, exciting, and appears to have the potential to be a future star in this event. He may not be ready to contend for a medal this year, but it would be great for him and for Team USA if he gains Olympic experience this summer so he has that under his belt by the time 2028 rolls around, when he’ll presumably be ready to vie for gold in front of an American crowd.
To me, the three most interesting points of an athlete’s career arc are:
their beginning, when we get excited by their potential (Quincy)
their peak, when we are in awe of what they can do (Bolt in 2008-2009)
their twilight, when we are rooting for them to hang on for one last hurrah (Bekele this year)
With Quincy, it feels like we are witnessing the start of something special. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.
Just to add to this, the OPs point is not just relevant to the age 28 y+ crowd. This might also apply to young guys like Matthew Boling. It's a brutal sport sometimes.
I'm cheering for him so strongly and was genuinely happy for him and myself when it was announced that he made the final. I want him to make the team and do great in Paris. Yes, it does seem unfair but it could be that when he's 25 he doesn't even make trials. Life isn't always linear in progress so let's just appreciate his greatness now (and of course hopefully for a long time to come).