The AAU Track and Field Junior Olympics is one of the oldest youth track competitions in the U.S. Thousands of athletes compete for gold medals in a variety of events, setting the stage for the future track and field stars of America.
Over the course of nearly 60 years, track-and-field superstars have started their careers in teenagers competing amongst their peers. From Olympic medalists to all-time greats, the AAU Junior Olympics are where the path to greatness begins.
- Subscribe To Watch the 2026 AAU Junior Olympics on FloTrack
- Three High Profile Storylines At Play At 2026 USATF Championships
- Updated Wanda Diamond League Standings
The 2026 games begin on August 1, when great young sprinters from across the country will compete for medals in a variety of events across age groups.
Here are five track and field superstars who made their debut on the big stage when they competed as juniors as the AAU Junior Olympics.
Sha’Carri Richardson
Sha’Carri Richardson is one of the most notable track and field athletes on the planet, and she started her path to Olympic gold at the AAU Junior Olympics.
Richardson competed at the 2016 AAU Junior Olympics, winning the 100m dash in the 15-16 age division.
She’s gone on to win medals at the Olympics Games, and it all started in Humble, Texas.
Grant Holloway
Long before becoming an Olympian and Diamond League Titlist, Grant Holloway made a splash on the track and field scene at the AAU Junior Olympics in 2013.
Holloway won a gold medal, but not in the event you’d expect. Despite winning a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 100m hurdles, his gold medal at the 2013 AAU Junior Olympics was for the high jump.
A 1.98 meter jump was enough for Holloway to win the event and put himself on the path to becoming a future superstar in track and field.
Carl Lewis
If you’ve ever watched track and field, you know who Carl Lewis is. It’s that simple.
But did you know that he got his start at the AAU Junior Olympics?
In addition to being a massive supporter of youth athletics, Lewis was once a young athlete competing at the largest youth track and field tournament in the U.S. During his high school years, he competed at the AAU Junior Olympics.
One of the greatest to ever compete made his start where so many young athletes have too.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone holds the world record for the 400 meter hurdles, and made her start in track and field at the AAU Junior Olympics.
From the NCAA Outdoor Track And Field Championships all the way to the Olympics, McLaughlin-Levrone has been a dominant force in track and field throughout her career.
Her journey to greatness started at the AAU Track and Field Junior Olympics.
Athing Mu-Nikolayev
Long before Athing Mu-Nikolayev became a decorated Olympian, she was a decorated athlete at the AAU Track and Field Junior Olympics.
In 2017 and 2018, Mu-Nikolayev finished with gold medals in the 1500m and 800. In 2018, she also finished with a gold in the 400m and a silver medal in the 200m.
An experienced Diamond League athlete and Olympian, she made her start by breaking personal records in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
How To Watch the 2026 AAU Junior Olympics
FloSports and FloTrack are the exclusive home of all track events at the 2026 AAU Junior Olympics. Subscribe here to catch all of the action.
FloTrack Archived Footage
Video footage from each event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloTrack subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.
Join The Track & Field Conversation On Social
- Follow us on X @FloTrack
- Follow us on Instagram @flotrack
- Follow us on TikTok @flotracktv
- Watch us on YouTube
- Like us on Facebook