Will 2024 be the year Matthew Boling reaches new heights in athletics?
It’s been five years since Matthew Boling announced himself to the world, running under 10 seconds, wind-aided, in the 100 meters as a high school senior. His circumstances have changed considerably since then, but his focus remains squarely on the Olympic Games.
Announcing a transition from collegiate to professional athletics last autumn, Boling told FloTrack, “I wanted to go all-in and embrace my dreams and run for Team U.S.[A.]”
The Texas-born American sprinter has really adopted the team mentality of track & field. Some of his best international performances to date have come in the relay events.
Earlier this year, he helped the U.S men’s 4x400 meter relay team earn a silver medal at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships. He was also part of the U.S quartet that set a world record in the mixed 4x400m meter relay at last year’s world championship.
Now, as he switches his attention to the outdoor season, Boling only has one goal on his mind: the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
From "going viral" to becoming a world champion and world record holder
Boling was a social media sensation after his final high school track and field season. His collegiate results were eagerly awaited, but he never seemed to meet the expectations placed on him after his incredible high school season.
The now 23-year-old did find limited success in college athletics, winning two national indoor championships in the 200 meters. He also made the semifinals of both the 100m and 200m at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
He made his first senior national team in 2023, after deciding to focus on the 400 meters at the 2023 USATF Outdoor Championships. Boling was then selected to be part of 4x400 meter relay teams at the world championships, where he cemented his name in athletics history as part of the mixed 4x400 meter relay that set a world record on their way to victory.
He decided to build off that momentum and launch his professional career. He moved from Athens, Georgia to South Carolina in order to train with a new coach, Alleyne Francique.
While the name might not be too familiar to many athletics fans, Francique served as Fred Kerley’s coach during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. If Kerley’s results are anything to go off, Boling could very well feature as a top contender this season.
Matthew Boling's route to the Olympics
Of course, Boling will need to qualify for the Olympics if he wants to be on the start line at Paris 2024. The first step in that process will be securing a quota place for the United States in the mixed 4x400 meter relay.
Boling will be part of the team traveling to the Bahamas for the World Athletics Relays 2024. He will run alongside a new slate of teammates in the mixed 4x400 meter relay.
The United States will secure a quota* in the event if they produce a top 14 performance. Otherwise, they will have to rely on their best time during the qualification period to try and obtain one of the two remaining quota places at the end of the qualification period.
Should the United States secure a quota place for the mixed 4x400 meter relay, or any other events, Boling will then need to be selected by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
He will need to be amongst the best American sprinters at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in order to be selected and on the start line at Paris 2024.
*As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes' participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024.