Even Olympics Athletes Get Starstruck. A Team USA Runner Recalls Meeting LeBron James On Opening Night

Even Olympics Athletes Get Starstruck. A Team USA Runner Recalls Meeting LeBron James On Opening Night

As a gamer who has lived through countless virtual worlds and met a plethora of digital celebrities, I must admit that it’s refreshing to see real-life stars like Quincy Wilson getting starstruck by meeting someone as iconic as LeBron James. It reminds me of the time I was so excited to finally defeat Bowser in Super Mario Bros., only to find out he was just a guy in a costume at a convention.


Occasionally, people may feel a little dazed or awestruck when they encounter famous personalities, and it’s not hard to imagine why, given the occasional brush with stardom leaves even the most composed among us momentarily flustered. Interestingly, this isn’t just a sensation exclusive to fans; celebrities can experience similar feelings of overwhlem too. This was true for Quincy Wilson, who delivered an outstanding performance at the Summer Olympics in Paris and recently won a gold medal. Reflecting on his experiences, he shared what it felt like meeting LeBron James during the opening ceremony.

Among this year’s Olympians, Quincy Wilson stood out with an extraordinary tale – not just because he hails from Maryland like me. At merely 16 years old, he earned a spot in the Olympics and ran in the 4 x 400m relay, making him the youngest male Olympian ever in American track & field history. With such an impressive achievement, it’s likely that many were intrigued to meet Wilson during the games in Paris. However, it seemed like butterflies took flight within Wilson himself as he rubbed shoulders with such accomplished athletes.

A student from Bullis School recently had a chat with NBC4, during which he reminisced about his time in Paris, France. During the conversation, he was questioned about the pictures he took alongside some of the basketball stars representing Team USA at the opening ceremony. The team expressed their excitement about spending time with these athletes but were especially thrilled about their encounters with “King James.” Not only did this young man get to meet the four-time NBA MVP, but there was an additional thrilling aspect to it: he also had a unique experience interacting with him.

To clarify, upon boarding the boat, indeed, I did manage to spot LeBron James, which was exactly what I had been eagerly anticipating. Whenever someone asked me who I was most excited about meeting, I always replied “LeBron James”. Amazingly, I got a chance to interact with him. Remarkably, he recognized me, and we even had a conversation. Truly, it was one of the most incredible moments for me!

Even Olympics Athletes Get Starstruck. A Team USA Runner Recalls Meeting LeBron James On Opening Night

As a gamer, let me tell you, I wasn’t just starstruck meeting the Los Angeles Laker, but it was an unbelievable moment when he recognized me by name! It’s not every day you get to meet someone who’s earned the title of (unintentionally) the funniest athlete of all time. Hailing from Ohio, I’ve always admired this legendary figure in sports, a man who has four championships under his belt, holds the NBA scoring record, and is showered with accolades. To top it off, Magic Johnson himself tweeted at me! And to add another incredible experience to my collection, I even had a chance encounter with Jay-Z on a different occasion, an experience I’ll never forget.

It’s quite extraordinary. You understand, as we pass by, everyone is simply awestruck, saying “There’s Jay-Z.” But me, my parents, and everyone else are completely taken aback by the encounter. Being near him was simply astounding.

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It’s not just the young runner who feels overawed when meeting a celebrity – it happens to many public figures. Just recently, Zendaya felt a bit starstruck by Serena Williams at a movie premiere. During the filming of the Harry Potter movies, Daniel Radcliffe admitted to feeling a little intimidated by Gary Oldman. And even Jeff Goldblum confessed to being deeply starstruck when working with Cate Blanchett on Thor: Ragnarok. So, yes, this phenomenon isn’t limited to anyone.

Regarding Quincy Wilson, it’s heartening to know that he had an unforgettable time at the Olympics, and there’s a possibility he might compete again in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. If so, he could become more accustomed to mingling with celebrities, but even then, I wouldn’t rule out him feeling starstruck if the right famous figure crosses his path.

As an enthusiastic supporter, I’m thrilled to share that you can re-experience the most unforgettable moments of the 2024 Summer Olympics by subscribing to Peacock and streaming them at your convenience!

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2024-08-22 17:07