Nico Young Focuses on Growth as He Targets LA 2028 Olympic Progress
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
American distance runner Nico Young is focusing on continuous improvement as he looks ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 24-year-old athlete recently finished fifth in the men’s 5,000 metres at the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championships, adding another strong performance to a career that has developed steadily over recent years. In an interview with Olympics.com, Young explained that staying adaptable is essential at the highest level of athletics.
Young Emphasises Continuous Improvement
Young describes the current stage of his career as a period of development and refinement.
After establishing himself as a competitive international athlete, he is now concentrating on improving the small details that can help him challenge the leading runners more consistently.
He believes athletes cannot remain comfortable at the top level because competition, tactics and racing conditions are constantly evolving.
For Young, continued progress is therefore an important part of preparing for the challenges ahead.
From High School Success to Olympic Competition
Young’s rise began during his high school years in California, where he won three state cross-country championships.
His progression continued through college, where he captured two NCAA indoor titles and later added a national outdoor championship in the 10,000 metres.
That development eventually took him to the Olympic stage at Paris 2024, where he finished 12th in the men’s 10,000 metres.
Young says his experience at major international competitions has helped him understand what is required to compete near the front rather than simply qualify for the biggest events.
American Record Boosted Young’s Confidence
One of the major moments in Young’s career came at the 2025 Bislett Games in Oslo.
He won the men’s 5,000 metres and set an American record of 12:45.27. The performance also gave him greater confidence in his ability to compete against the world’s leading distance runners.
Young acknowledged that the result exceeded his expectations at the time, but it also changed his understanding of what he could achieve at international level.
Fifth Place at 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championships
Young’s latest major result came at the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championships, where he placed fifth in the men’s 5,000 metres.
The performance continued his progression in global competition and provided another opportunity to test himself against elite opposition.
Rather than viewing individual results as an endpoint, Young is using these experiences to identify areas that can be improved before the next major championships.
Tactical Experience Remains Important
Young also highlighted the importance of learning from races, particularly when competing in major international events.
His experience at Paris 2024 and subsequent global competitions has given him a better understanding of tactical racing and the demands of competing at the front of a championship field.
He remains focused on analysing his performances and identifying mistakes that could be avoided in future races.
LA 2028 Provides a Long-Term Goal
With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics approaching, Young has several seasons available to continue developing as an athlete.
His recent performances have established him as an important figure in American distance running, while his emphasis on improvement remains central to his approach.
For Young, the road to LA28 is not simply about maintaining his current level. It is about continuing to adapt, learn and develop as the standard of international distance running keeps changing.
