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Matt Hudson-Smith roared in frustration. Four-hundredths of a second had denied him a glorious gold to complete the most remarkable redemption story. In one of the most gripping 400m finals in Olympic history, the USA’s Quincy Hall summoned a kick from the gods.
Charging like a train, while rocking from side to side, Hall somehow conjured up the fourth-fastest time in history. He was only fourth in this race with 100m remaining, yet he snatched victory away from Hudson-Smith in a scorching 43.40 seconds as Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga claimed bronze.
The Briton’s pursuit of gold on the world stage rumbles on then, but at 29 years of age and now possessing the fifth-fastest time ever (43.44 seconds), the European record holder believes more than ever. How could he not after everything he has endured up to this point?
For so long Hudson-Smith could only show glimpses of his scintillating best: a torn hamstring and Achilles tendinitis dashed hopes of a world medal for so long. Then the Covid pandemic arrived and a battle with his mental health and even an attempt to take his own life. Hudson-Smith had emerged from “absolute hell”.
A first major medal at the 2022 World Championships arrived, upgraded 12 months later to silver. And a statement performance at the London Diamond League, in a European record, suggested Hudson-Smith had peaked at the perfect time. Even in the semi-finals this week, there was a swagger, slamming on the breaks with 30 metres remaining and still running 44.07 seconds. But Hudson-Smith met a possessed Hall and while the Briton is not satisfied, he can at least accept defeat against such a historic performance.
“I said, if you're gonna win, you gotta take it from me,” Hudson-Smith remarked. “That's exactly what he did. I can't complain. Fifth fastest time overall. I think it’s the healthiest I've ever been at a championship.
“I almost got it. And you know what? Sometimes the journey is better than the outcome, and it’s been a hell of a journey, so I can’t complain. The better man won at the end of the day. So it’s just the start. I know there’s a bigger time in there. My time is gonna come.”
It was a flawless race from the Briton, too, supremely controlled throughout with his immaculate form. And Hudson-Smith could almost touch the gold after hitting the front with 150m remaining, having wrestled clear of Jereem Richards.
But Hall appeared to come out of nowhere, taking 0.50 seconds off Hudson-Smith in the final 100m. Yet the man from Wolverhampton kept pumping his arms and legs in hope, barely able to sense what was coming from Hall. But the American’s lean within two metres of the line proved emphatic, securing a comeback for the ages.
Hudson-Smith is getting closer, though, and after settling for silver at last year’s World Championships by nine-hundredths of a second, he has now delivered Great Britain’s first medal in the event since Roger Black took silver at Atlanta 1996.
“I just said it [f***] because I was like, you know, it just came out. I’m not angry, I’m not upset,” Hudson-Smith clarified. “It’s life at the end of the day. There's always gonna be one winner. He’s the better man. I can’t complain at the end of the day, because I ran the fifth fastest time overall.
“I just came for the win. It's a championship. I don't really care about times. I've said it in the past, I just want the win. We knew it was gonna take a 43. That’s why I was a little bit more calculated coming into the championship. There's a bigger time in there. It's just the start. I've got another four years left, and then I'm out.”
It was an act of defiance to shine a light on Hudson-Smith’s personal growth. Four years to Los Angeles 2028, then, when he will be 33 years of age. Yet an early warning that Hudson-Smith is not done yet.
“Everyone was proud,” Hudson-Smith concluded. “They know what I've been through. They know that it's been a rough journey. There's been incredible highs and so, so many deep lows and, man, it's sports.
“It's just a crazy one. They know what's to come and I think the world does as well. Because, like I said, I think I was a bit of an unknown quantity, in the sense that no one really knew what I was going to do, whether I was going to finish, for one.
“Whether I was going to blow up in the final like I did in Budapest, where my Achilles basically blew up on the top end. So I was a bit of an unknown quantity. And I saw people say that I ran too fast in the semis.
“And I was like, ah, I jogged it! So I knew I could drop the time. I also know as well, finishing this, it didn't take as much out of me as I thought. So I'm just gonna keep building on it, and I'm gonna shock the world. I'm gonna shock the world. It's just a matter of time.”
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you
