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Gatlin and Powell have opined why inexperience is no excuse to deny young stars like Quincy Wilson chances to compete at a high level after Wilson was nearly left out from representing USA at the Paris Olympics.
Retired sprint legends Justin Gatlin and Asafa Powell believe that youth and inexperience should not be a barrier for talented athletes like 16-year-old Quincy Wilson when it comes to competing on the Olympic stage.
Their comments came after Wilson, the youngest Olympian in U.S. history, was almost excluded from the men’s 4x400m relay team at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Wilson, who led off for the U.S. in the heats, had a challenging start that saw the Americans briefly lagging behind. The team rallied in the second leg as veteran Vernon Norwood, 32, clocked an impressive 43.60 to bring them back into contention.
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10:20 - 30.10.2024
'It’s hurting our sport'- Fred Kerley explains why prodigies like Quincy Wilson should not race against senior athletes
Fred Kerley believes young athletes should stay in junior categories to develop mentally and physically without the intimidation and pressures of senior competition, which he says can harm their careers and benefit coaches more than the athletes themselves.
Bryce Deadmon, 27, and Chris Bailey, 24, closed out the race, securing a third-place finish with a time of 2:59.15, earning a spot in the final.
For the final, the U.S. replaced Wilson with 400m hurdles champion Rai Benjamin, who battled fiercely with Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, narrowly securing victory for the Americans while Britain took bronze. Although Wilson received a gold medal as part of the relay team, he was not present during the medal ceremony.
In a candid interview on Powell’s YouTube channel, both former athletes argued that experience should not be a limiting factor for young talents.
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07:30 - 21.10.2024
'I think it’s a gamble'- American sprint icon on why Quincy Wilson should consider not turning pro just yet
The 2004 Olympic champion has advised Quincy Wilson against turning professional at his age, pointing out some of the challenges that he is bound to face.
Powell referenced Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s historic 100m gold at the 2008 Olympics at just 21, when the Jamaican federation considered dropping her for the more seasoned Veronica Campbell-Brown.
“It should not be age or experience,” Powell stated. “You need to show that you have the experience and can do it. Running at American trials is no joke because you’re racing against guys who might end up winning the Olympics.”
Gatlin echoed Powell’s sentiments, recalling how Fraser-Pryce’s enthusiasm overshadowed her lack of experience back in 2008.
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13:35 - 09.11.2024
'It was painful to sit and watch' - Why Usain Bolt contemplated coming out of retirement in 2019
Usain Bolt has admitted at how he seriously wanted to return to track and field two years after retirement, explaining what he wanted to correct at the time.
“Sometimes, being ‘naive’ to the moment can help. Shelly-Ann was just happy to be there,” Gatlin remarked. “Age shouldn’t be a reason to keep someone off the track. Our sport is open to anyone.”
The retired athletes also emphasized Wilson’s potential, noting his strong performance at the U.S. Trials, where he pushed teammate Bryce Deadmon to the line, showcasing his competitive spirit.
Powell highlighted how Wilson contributed to the world record-breaking effort in the mixed relay, a testament to his readiness for the big stage.
For Gatlin and Powell, young athletes like Wilson deserve opportunities, regardless of age or experience, to grow and compete alongside the best. “Quincy has what it takes,” Powell concluded.
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