At 16 years old, Quincy Wilson became the youngest American male track athlete to appear at an Olympics. He suited up for the United States in track and field at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
Wilson, a junior at Bullis School outside of Washington, D.C., was added to the 4x400 U.S. relay pool for the Paris Olympics after running under 45 seconds in three separate 400-meter heats at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials.
Wilson's time of 44.59 in the semifinals broke an under-18 world record that stood for 42 years.
Wilson isn't the only youngster to make his way to the Olympic stage. Here are key facts about how old athletes need to be in order to compete in the Games.
What is the minimum age requirement for the Olympics?
There is no specific age limit to participate in the Olympics, according to the International Olympic Committee's official rules. While the default minimum age requirement is 16, some countries allow athletes as young as 13 to compete for their respective country.
For Team USA, 13 is the youngest an athlete can be to compete in the Olympics. But athletes must also comply with each individual sport's governing International Federation, which sets its own age requirements.
For example, the International Federation of Gymnastics requires gymnasts to be at least 16 years of age, while competitors in diving can be as young as 14.
Who were the youngest athletes at the 2024 Summer Olympics?
Zheng Haohao, China, skateboarding -- 11 years old
Sky Brown, Great Britain, skateboarding -- 16 years old
Hezly Rivera, USA, gymnastics -- 16 years old
Quincy Wilson, USA, track and field -- 16 years old
Lola Tambling, Great Britain, skateboarding -- 16 years old
Who is the youngest Olympian of all time?
Dimitrios Loundras is the youngest athlete in modern Olympic history, winning a bronze medal at 10 years old at the 1896 Athens Summer Olympics as part of the Greek gymnastics team.
Who is the youngest athlete to win a gold medal at the Olympics?
South Korea speed skater Kim Yun-mi won the gold medal in the women's 3,000-meter relay at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics. She was just 13 years and 86 days old.
Since Yun-mi's historic golden victory, the International Skating Union has raised its minimum qualifying age to 15, to protect the development of young athletes.
What is the age limit for athletes in the Youth Olympics?
The Youth Olympics exclusively features competitors between the ages of 15 and 18.
Check out the ESPN Olympics hub page for the latest news, features, roster updates and more.