The Incredible Story of Quincy Watts: 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist in the 400m | Exclusive Interview

The 1980s and 1990s is often considered the golden era of 400m sprinting. Names like Michael Johnson, Steve Lewis, Butch Reynolds, Danny Everett, among others, ran some of the fastest times in 400m history, times which would still win Olympic and World Championship Golds to this day.

One of the most memorable seasons of that era was 1992 when Quincy Watts ran himself into history winning 400m Gold at the Barcelona Olympics. Though he set an Olympic record of 43.50 seconds, that performance didn’t just happen overnight.

Born in Detroit and later moving to Los Angeles to live with his father when he was in 8th Grade, Watts was guided by his Father, family, coaches and community to become one of the greatest athletes in the history of the sport. As Director of Track & Field at the University of Southern California, Watts is now guiding the next generation of great athletes in the sport.

00:00 Intro
01:16 Moving from Detroit to LA
03:08 His Father’s Influence
07:12 Being tricked into the 400m
10:20 Competing at the 1991 World Championships
13:27 Watching Carl Lewis in 1984
15:18 Winning 1992 Olympic Gold
16:37 Reminiscing on the Olympic Podium
20:10 The landscape of the 400m in the early 1990s
22:59 The current state of the 400m
25:57 Breaking 43 seconds in the 400m
26:45 Coaching at USC
31:53 Coaching NCAA and pro athletes
33:46 Closing