“Should Be Ashamed”: Track & Field Community Breathes Fire at USATF as Quincy Wilson Makes Paris Olympics Team Over Christian Miller

Before coming to the US Olympic trials in Eugene, Quincy Wilson said, “I dreamed about being an Olympian.” Soon, the next week, the world of American sports witnessed a high school sophomore giving head-turning performances on the fabled track of the Hayward Field. Those performances include back-to-back U18 records in the 400m event and giving three consecutive sub-44 sprints, all at the age of 16 years! 

However, heartbreak followed when Quincy Wilson had to leave the stage after finishing sixth in the final. Naturally, that could have marked the end of Quincy’s chances to qualify for the Paris Olympics. But no! The Bullis High School attendee is still in the running for the Olympics, with some credit going to USATF. Meanwhile, another standout athlete, Christian Miller, has received a different kind of attention.

Quincy Wilson earns the prize while Christian Miller takes the back seat 

After Christian Miller’s fifth-place ending at the 100m trial in the USA Olympic trials, the fans had remained hopeful about seeing him in the Paris Olympics-bound relay team pool. The hope thickened further when USATF chose Quincy Wilson in the 4x400m relay pool using the discretionary policies. However, the U18 record holder failed to make a mark as USATF didn’t project any similar call on him. Ultimately, that led Christian to pen a detailed IG post, on July 1. It was a rundown of emotions, framing the exact meaning of being left out. A few sentences conceded as “Wish my season could have been extended to one last race but unfortunately USATF did not select me for the 2024 Paris Olympics 4×1 relay pool.” Although, the ending could have been different. 

Christian Miller entered the US Olympic trials holding one of the top 100m timing of this season. Soon, the teenage rocket from Florida topped the expectations with his third-place finish in the semifinal. But in the stacked 100m final, he failed to make a similar rank as Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek, Fred Kerley, and Christian Coleman crossed the finishing line before him. Still, Christian Miller overpowered names like Courtney Lindsey and Kendal Williams in that event. Yet, the current standing proves he is far away from making a similar impact as Quincy did. 

However, the fans are not ready to be settled with USATF’s decisions that resulted in two different outcomes. As per them, Christian Miller had a better chance than Quincy’s to make it to the relay pool. So, noticing the disproportionate result from the USATF, one fan penned, “This is a tragedy!!! USATF should be ashamed of this. I am happy for all that made it but the excuses given to me as the reason why you didn’t is embarrassing.” The criticism went ahead with the time. 

Fans fail to match the math, counting six before five 

In the comment box of Christian Miller’s IG post, fans gathered to vent their unhappiness, resulting from his failure to make it through the relay pool. Moreover, Quincy Wilson’s prompt success with a similar objective made the situation complicated. The failure to understand the criteria soon reflected in a fan’s comment, “how they gonna take someone who got 6th but not someone who got 5th??”

The query ran among the fans as another one penned, “So quincy gets 6th, u get 5th but he makes a relay pool before you?” Arguments like this could only invite flak over USATF’s discretionary rules that finalize the relay team nominees. Expectedly, the ruling also came at the receiving end as someone jotted down, “Can someone please tell me how a fifth place does not get selected for relays over a sixth place finisher? For a sport that basically has no subjectivity in judging, (Which is a great thing) this seems odd.”

In reality, the discretionary criteria focus on six specific factors evaluated by the coaches. These include relay experience in World Championships, the ability to pass the baton, and sprinting capabilities, whether on turns or straightaways. Unfortunately, Christian Miller may face tough competition from Christian Coleman, Kyree King, Pjai Austin, and Kendal Williams, who are more experienced in these areas for the 4x100m relay team. Meanwhile, Quincy Wilson might have been deemed suitable by the coaches for the final race. However, the ultimate decision is pending. If Quincy Wilson’s name appears on the final roster of relay members, he will become the youngest American Olympian.