Former South Carolina Gamecocks track star runs fastest time in America, qualifies for Paris Olympics

The South Carolina Gamecocks track and field program has been well represented at the 2024 Olympic trials this week.

With names like Jameesia Ford (200-meter, 400-meter), Jayla Jamison (200-meter), Dylan Targgart (shot put), and CJ Licata (shot put) all representing the 2024 Gamecocks (and South Carolina football receiver Nyck Harbor qualifying but not competing), there were plenty of reasons for USC fans to tune in to watch the Olympic qualifiers in Eugene, Oregon this week.

As it turned out, though, it was a former Gamecock All-American stole the show on Monday night.

Quincy Hall, a 2019 national champion in the 400-meter hurdles for the South Carolina track program, qualified to run the 400-meter sprint in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. However, Hall didn't just qualify; he ran the fastest time of any athlete in attendance. His time of just 44.17s was the fastest of his career and the fastest for any American sprinter in 2024.

This will be Hall's first Olympic trip.

In addition to his 2019 National Championship win in the 400-meter hurdles, Hall was an All-American again in 2020, but the Covid-19 pandemic shut down the season before he could defend his title. Prior to this Olympic run, he has won multiple North American Championships, a U23 Championship, a bronze medal in the 2023 USATF Championship, and a bronze medal in the 2023 World Athletics Championship. All of these titles came in various 400-meter events (400-meter sprint, 4x400-meter relay, and 400-meter hurdles).

There are still more opportunities for current and former Gamecocks to punch their tickets to Paris. The Olympic trials will continue for the rest of this week.

The Paris Olympic Games will begin on Thursday, July 24th and will end on Sunday, August 11th. Opening Ceremonies will take place on Saturday, July 26th.