5 facts about Quincy Hall after his improbable gold medal-winning comeback in the 400m at the Olympics
We’ve been treated to some epic performances on the track so far during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Obviously, there’s Noah Lyles’ incredibly close win in the men’s 100-meter sprint. There was also Julien Alfred’s impressive women’s 100-meter win, too. We can’t forget about Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s record semi-final run or Cole Hocker’s amazing 1500-meter win.
Now, we can add Quincy Hall’s 400-meter run to this list.
Hall miraculously won gold in the 400m after falling behind the pack early on. During the last leg of the race, Hall somehow just seemed to will himself to victory. His steps seemed just as heavy as his competition’s were. But, with every single one, he inched closer and closer to the lead. It was thrilling.
The moment will absolutely give you chills. Watch it here.
NEVER doubt Quincy Hall.
A EPIC comeback to win 400m GOLD! #ParisOlympics
NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/qQJqfxrH9n
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 7, 2024
Hall’s victory is kind of coming out of nowhere. Most people probably don’t know too much about him. If you’re one of those folks, don’t worry. We got you.
Here are three facts that you need to know about Quincy Hall.
This was Hall’s first Olympic medal
Talk about making a mark in your debut. This was Hall’s very first Olympics ever and the race he was making his Olympic debut in.
It ended with a gold medal.
Congrats Quincy Hall!
Secures his very first Olympic gold medal by winning the men's 400m final!
Getty pic.twitter.com/VKDPORtfZU
— Global Grind (@GlobalGrind) August 7, 2024
What a moment.
His 43.40 time was a personal best
Hall’s time the best he’d ever run in the 400-meter race and he needed every single second of it, too.
This was legitimately the fastest field ever in this race. There were five runners, including Hall, who posted a sub-44 second time. That’s unheard of in the 400m.
First 400m race in history with four men under 44 seconds.
First 400m race in history with FIVE men under 44 seconds.
First Olympic gold in men's 400m since LaShawn Merritt 16 years ago. https://t.co/1zEcVlczie pic.twitter.com/hJnr1Ee54F
— Jonathan Gault (@jgault13) August 7, 2024
He’s the first American man to win gold in the 400m since 2008
The last time an American won a gold medal in this race was in 2008 when LaShawn Merrit won it in the 2008 Beijing Games. Before that, the USA claimed every gold medal in the 400-meter race from 1984 to 2008.
With his personal-best time in a record-breaking field, Hall broke a 16 year medal drought.
He went to the University of South Carolina
Hall was a four time All-American sprinter at South Carolina.
He won the 2019 NCAA Outdoor National Championship in the 400-meter hurdles and the 2019 SEC Indoor and Outdoor championship in the 400-meter race with no hurdles. He’d also previously won a bronze medal at the World Championships in 2023.
He’s got a sweet golden grill
And, no, I’m not talking about the one for burgers. Look at this smile, man.
QUINCY HALL. OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST.
With a time of 43.40, Quincy Hall is your #ParisOlympics men’s 400m champion #TrackTown24 pic.twitter.com/zbdxtb4AB9
— TrackTown USA (@TrackTownUSA) August 7, 2024
That’s your 400-meter Olympic gold medalist right there. And, yes, gold is a double entendre there. Don’t ask me how.