Anyone feel bad cheering 4 Quincy Wilson

Do you feel bad cheering for Jakob instead of Eric Holt?

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.

Do you people ever really think before you create your posts? Unless it's just for trolling. This is so darn stupid.

So you are just not trolling? WTF. Sweet mother... critical thinking skills truly do not exist in the average person.

There’s nothing nuanced about pure stupidity.

Congrats OP, that's a rojo-level downvote ratio. You have some talent and may be a prodigy.

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.

How I cheer for a newb at this level:

Coach, how do I run this 1st round?

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.

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.

Then don't cheer for him. Why come on here and biatch about it. He's better than you and others. Send the fastest.

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!

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).