If this is your first time learning about Erriyon Knighton , you ’re likely not the only one . He is , after all , only 17 years honest-to-god , and his track career only began a few years ago . But you’re able to reckon on discover his name a lot more often from here on out : The Florida sprinter is headed to the Tokyo Olympics , making him America ’s youngest male trackOlympiansince Jim Ryun competed in 1964 .
AsUSA Todayreports , Knighton took up running as a fledgling at Tampa ’s Hillsborough High School after one of his football coaches detect his speed on the field . Football proceed to be a major focus for him throughout high school day — and sectionalization 1 colleges even proffer him spots on their football game squad — but he decided to swivel to professional track and field of battle in January 2021 .
“ In track , the winner of my career is fully in my hands , and I know that I can do it , ” KnightontoldTrack & Field Newsearlier this class .
Knighton sign with adidas and threw himself into training for theOlympictrials . Before long , it became obvious that leaving football game behind was a savvy conclusion as , in this month alone , the teen has break two of Usain Bolt ’s early days disc . The first was at an American Track League meet in Jacksonville , Florida : Knighton ran the 200 - meter dash in 20.11 seconds , beatingBolt ’s under-18 record from 2003 by 0.02 seconds . At the Olympian trials , Knighton break Bolt ’s under-20 record from 2004 ; Bolt time 19.93 seconds in the 200 - beat hyphen , while Knighton wind up in 19.88 seconds .
Since Knighton ’s functioning at the tribulation earn him a blot on the Olympic squad , he ’ll get the chance to add together a littlegoldto his legacy . Olympic track and field of view eventskick offon Friday , July 30 .
[ h / tUSA TODAY ]
