2024 Olympics: Why Fans Are in Awe of U.S. Sprinter Quincy Hall’s Epic Comeback
Never count Quincy Hall out.
The Team USA track and field athlete left everyone in shock at the 2024 Paris Olympics after a stunning come-from-behind finish during the men's 400-meter finals to take home gold Aug. 7.
As the eight finalists made their way around the track, Quincy mostly lingered in fourth place. However, around the 300-meter mark, he surged to the front of the heat, finishing first with a time of 43.40 seconds. Great Britain's Matthew Hudson-Smith earned silver and Zambia's Muzala Samukonga won bronze.
"I have never seen anyone run the 400-meter like that," NBC Olympics track and field commentator and Olympian Sanya Richards-Ross explained during the livestream. "Around the turn, he looked like he was in a world of hurt. He was grimacing coming off the turn. He was in fourth position and then he found something deep!"
Quincy became the first American to win gold in the 400m since the 2008 Beijing Games—LaShawn Merritt took home the title—and his time during this year's competition was the fifth-fastest ever in the event.
“As long as I can start the race, I know I can finish,” the 26-year-old told reporters after the race. “You can’t outrun a dog. A dog will chase you forever.”
After his killer performance, fans couldn’t help but gush over the monumental win. One commenter wrote on Instagram, “That guy gave his all out on the track was a spectacular performance.” Another added, “That last bit he gave to win is called heart!”
But for the athlete—who is also a dad to daughters Avery, 7, and A'Lani, 2—finding that rush to get past the finish line meant clearing his mind and concentrating on what matters.
"I just let a lot of stuff go that was a distraction and I focused on myself," he reflected. "When I let go of everything, I stopped losing. I'm focusing on myself, focusing on my daughters, focusing on my animals and seeing where that takes me out there."
And while he was making his way down the last 100 meters of the race, Quincy shared during the post-race press conference that it was his coach's advice that rang through his mind: "Just keep driving, keep driving, get home."
Now, keep reading for more of Team USA's gold medal winners.
Wrestling - Women's Freestyle 50kg
Cycling Track - Women's Team Pursuit
Athletics - Men's 400m
Athletics - Women's 200m
Wrestling - Women's Freestyle 68kg
Athletics - Men's 1500m
Women's Surfing
Athletics - Women's Discus
Athletics - Men's 100m
Swimming - Women's 4x100m Medley Relay
Swimming - Men's 1500m Freestyle
Cycling - Women's Road Race
Golf - Men's Individual Stroke Play
Shooting - Men's Skeet
Athletics - Men's Shot Put
Swimming - Women's 800m Freestyle
Swimming - Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay
Gymnastics - Women's Vault
Fencing - Women's Foil Team
Swimming - Women's 200m Breaststroke
Gymnastics - Women's All-Around
Rowing - Men's Four
Swimming - Women's 1500m Freestyle
Gymnastics - Womens' Team
Swimming - Women's 100m Butterfly
Fencing - Women's Foil Individual
Swimming - Men's 4x100m Freestyle Relay
Watch the 2024 Paris Olympics daily on NBC and Peacock until the summer games end with the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 11, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.
