Matthew Hudson-Smith breaks down in tears after missing out on Olympic 400m gold to USA’s Quincy Hall by narrowest of margins – as Team GB star accepts ‘the better man won’ fiercely contested race
- Comes after Josh Kerr had to settle for silver in the 1500m after being beaten at the finish line
- The 29-year-old broke his own European record with a time of 43.44 seconds
- Hudson-Smith later revealed it had been ‘a hellish journey’ to reach the Paris final
Matthew Hudson-Smith burst into tears on Wednesday night after missing out on a historic Olympic gold medal in the 400 metres by just 0.04 seconds.
The night after Josh Kerr had to settle for silver after being beaten at the finish line by an American, Hudson-Smith suffered exactly the same fate at the Stade de France.
The 29-year-old runner improved his own European record with a time of 43.44 seconds, but a stunning move from Quincy Hall prevented him from winning his first British 400m world title in 100 years.
Hudson-Smith, who attempted suicide in 2021 after suffering from depression, was later comforted in the stands by his mother Cheryl, who could be seen wiping away his tears with a tissue.
“Sometimes the journey is better than the outcome and it was one hell of an adventure,” said Hudson-Smith, who became Britain’s first medallist in the event since Roger Black in 1996.
Matthew Hudson-Smith misses out on historic Olympic gold medal in the 400 meters
The 29-year-old broke his own European record with a time of 43.44 seconds, but a stunning late charge from Quincy Hall prevented that.
Hudson-Smith, who attempted suicide in 2021 after battling depression, was later comforted in the stands by his mother Cheryl
“I didn’t even know my family was here. It was a bit of a shock. Everyone was proud. They know what I’ve been through.
“They know it’s been a tough journey. There have been incredible highs and deep lows.
“I’m just grateful. I can’t complain. The better man won.”
Hudson-Smith tied the silver medal he won at last year’s world championships. As he crossed the finish line he shouted ‘f***’ and realised he had been beaten by Hall.
“I thought I had left the field but he passed me,” the Wolverhampton rider admitted.
‘I always said, if you want to win, you have to take it from me, and that’s exactly what he did.
“I’ve been a bridesmaid twice now, but my time will come. I’m not mad, I’m not upset. I ran the fifth fastest time ever.
‘This is just the beginning. I know there is a greater time ahead.
‘I’m just going to build on it and I’m going to shock the world. I’m going to fuck the hell out of them.
The British star congratulated winner Quincy Hall and admitted that ‘the better man won’
Hudson-Smith’s silver equalled the medal he won at last year’s world championships
Hudson-Smith insisted his time would come after becoming the fifth fastest man in the 400m
“I have four years left and that’s the last you’ll see of me.”
Amber Anning qualified for the women’s 400 metres final on Thursday night after setting a new personal best of 49.47 seconds to finish second in her semi-final.
American superstar Noah Lyles will be going for his second gold medal in the men’s 200m final on Thursday night. He qualified third fastest, behind Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo and his teammate Kenny Bednarek.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian athlete Lamecha Girma was in hospital on Wednesday evening with a suspected concussion after a dramatic fall during the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
The world record holder and Tokyo 2020 silver medalist landed on his head after hitting a hurdle with his knee on the final lap and was carried off on a stretcher.