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Multipe 4x400m American medalist Vernon Norwood has explained why he is wary of young prospects like Quincy Wilson, explaining what he is doing in order to finally get an individual medal by the LA 2028 Olympics.
Multiple American relay medalist Vernon Norwood has shared insights into his efforts to finally secure individual medals ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Despite his decorated career in the 4x400m relay, Norwood remains cautious about the rising generation of young stars, particularly Quincy Wilson.
Norwood, a 400m specialist, has built an impressive career, winning gold in the men's 4x400m relay at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics.
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Additionally, he has triumphed at World Championships, contributing to victories in Eugene 2022 and Budapest 2023. With a personal best of 44.10 seconds, Norwood has consistently performed at the highest level in the relay but has struggled to translate that success into individual events.
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At the 2015 World Championships, he reached the 400m semi-finals but failed to make the final, though he secured gold in the relay.
The pattern repeated at the 2019 World Championships, where he once again fell short individually but shone in the team event.
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In 2023, he came agonizingly close to breaking the trend, finishing fourth in the World Championship final after setting a personal best of 44.26 seconds in the semis.
Despite these setbacks, Norwood remains determined to claim an individual medal before time runs out. Speaking on the Beyond the Records podcast, the 32-year-old outlined what he is doing to overcome his past struggles.
"I love the game too much. I love the hustle. I love the grind. I actually like putting in work," Norwood said.
"My body is still moving well. I haven't had any setbacks where things are slowing me down, like chronic injuries and stuff like that, so I'm blessed to have the way things are progressing for me in order for me to continue going."
One of the key areas Norwood is working on is his mental strength, admitting that lapses in focus have cost him crucial moments in races.
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"I think I had moments where I mentally broke down in races where my mind wasn’t clicking with my body. I try to continue telling myself, ‘You need to get mentally stronger,’" Norwood explained.
"You can't have moments like that, especially at my age. I need to always be ready because these young guns are just going to go."
Among those young stars is Quincy Wilson, who became the youngest Olympic gold medalist at the Paris Games in August. Norwood acknowledged the challenge posed by the next generation while stressing the importance of mental resilience.
"You just got to always be prepared because sometimes, with athletes like young Quincy, I know he is about to be out here. Our season trajectories are so different, so you're like, ‘Man, he is already ready to go.’"
Competing against college athletes presents a unique challenge, but Norwood remains confident in his ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most.
"You know the kids get one up on you. But we go to see them later at trials, and that's when the big boys come out at you.
"That's where the big mind comes in. That's where you really gotta tap in and do your thing. And that’s something I don’t think people understand once you get to this level."
As Norwood continues his journey toward LA28, his focus on mental strength and consistency could finally help him achieve his long-sought individual medal.
However, with rising stars like Wilson pushing the boundaries, he knows the challenge will only get tougher.
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