The men's 4x400m team is a lock to win with any combination of existing 400m guys they have in Paris right now. Even that bum Norman.
Wilson has a ton of 4x400m relay experience at the junior level at big meets like Penn Relays.His fame rose from doing those relays. I don't understand this talk about lack of experience.
I am not concerned about him dropping the baton but I would be concerned about is him getting out-physicaled after or before the relay exchanges. 400m runners are typically big dudes.
He's leading off, so there won't be any contact. Good call by the coaches on this one.
And less risk of problems with the exchange. Maybe that one isn't as concerning since he's used to relays already, but these exchanges will be with much faster guys than he's used to.
I am not a fan of this. I know it's great PR, but the risk:reward is too high. This kid has a long future and a LOT of 4x4's in his future, no need to rush it.
Have to agree - the US has so much depth in this event, reaching out to a 16yo (even as good as he is) isn't necessary. If he somehow chokes (hope he doesn't) he is likely not emotionally mature enough to handle the fallout. This isn't a country (Canada for example) who hasn't any depth, so anyone that good is automatic with no pressure to get a medal. The experience might be good for him, I get that - but there are huge expectations for success in America. Anything less than winning in the 4x4 is a disaster (like the mixed 4x4) here.
Speaking of Canada, look at Morales-Williams who has gone from NCAA star (fastest time in the world at one point - a few people even talking about an Olympic medal) to not even close to making the final (a second slower than Quincy W). As it turns out he would not have been close to a medal at his best, given all the 43's in the final. But this the OG, this guy is now a Pro, so should be able to handle that, but the kid might not handle a bad race as well, with team mates depending on him - especially having a lead (likely) and having to hold onto it. He is good at chasing people, can he hold a lead? The best hope is that we just walk away from everyone and so he doesn't have to work that hard, has some wiggle room, but that is not a sure thing.
I'll put this out there: The guys on that 4x400 squad all love Quincy. They look out for him like he is their son. You can see it from interviews and videos in Paris - they all mentor him. They will be running for him, and to make sure he gets a gold in the prelims and finals, and that makes them 10x more dangerous.
Kid has been running sub 45 relays all year long. Unless he is stale from not racing, he will be fine. The question is if he splits like a 43.8, do you dare replace him for the final?
Haven’t looked to see what they he rest of the world has, but this isn’t a super strong US team.
The US put 3 men in the Olympic 400 final.
No other country had more than 1.
The US has the strongest team. And that doesn't count Q Wilson or Rai Benjamin, who are available for the US team.
And one of them couldn’t break 45.5 . And didn’t look good in the heats either. The other dude was like 6th. That is a subpar US showing.
should the US win? Of course. But there is a reason why a 16 year old seems like a good choice…