U.S. 4x400 relay team advances in Quincy Wilson's 1st Olympics race - ESPN

SAINT-DENIS, France — American teenage sprinter Quincy Wilson's first run at the Olympics on Friday was a learning lesson.

The 16-year-old, who became the youngest American male to compete in track at the Olympics, left the U.S. in a distant seventh place after his opening lap in the first round of the 4x400 relay.

The Americans, normally dominant in this event, needed a rally from Christopher Bailey on the final lap simply to qualify for the final. The team finished third in a time of 2 minutes, 59.15 seconds.

There was a nearly 3-second gap between Wilson and Letsile Tebogo, the 200-meter champion from Botswana who was a last-minute replacement. Wilson was picked up by veteran teammates Vernon Norwood, Bryce Deadmon and Bailey.

«I wasn't 100% myself, but my team came out here and did it for me,» Wilson said. «I knew I had a great three legs behind me and knew it wasn't just myself. Because if it was myself, we'd be in last place. But these guys come out there and gave it their all.… They ran their hearts out.»

It's been quite a summer for Wilson, who already has a name, image and likeness deal with New Balance and put off getting his driver's license so he could run in Paris.

He twice broke the under-18 400-meter world record at the U.S. Olympic trials in June with times of 44.66 and 44.59.

His opening leg on Friday was listed at 47.27. He didn't want to elaborate on why he wasn't 100% for the race.

«I'm with a great team, had them on my side through the whole thing,» said Wilson, who had his family in the stands for his big moment.

With his performance Friday, Wilson became the youngest American male to compete at the Olympics in track. He surpassed Arthur Newton, a steeplechase runner from 1904 who competed at 17,