- Follows Josh Kerr’s narrow loss for 1500m silver after being edged out at the finish
- The 29-year-old set a new European record with a time of 43.44 seconds
- Hudson-Smith later expressed that it has been an incredibly challenging journey to reach the Paris final
Matthew Hudson-Smith was overcome with emotion on Wednesday night after narrowly missing an Olympic gold medal in the 400 metres by just 0.04 seconds.
The following night, after Josh Kerr had settled for silver in the 1500m due to a last-second loss, Hudson-Smith faced a similar outcome at the Stade de France.
Despite breaking his own European record with a phenomenal time of 43.44 seconds, Hudson-Smith was edged out by a late surge from Quincy Hall, preventing what would have been Britain’s first global men’s 400m title in a century.
Consoling him in the stands was his mother Cheryl, who comforted him as he dealt with his disappointment.
‘Sometimes the journey is more significant than the outcome, and it has truly been a challenging one,’ Hudson-Smith stated, making history as Britain’s first medallist in the event since Roger Black in 1996.
Matthew Hudson-Smith missing out on an historic Olympic 400 metres gold medal
The 29-year-old smashed his own European record with a time of 43.44 seconds, but an incredible late push by Quincy Hall denied him
Hudson-Smith was consoled in the stands by his mother Cheryl, following his emotional race
‘I didn’t recognize my family in the crowd. It was truly surprising. They are all proud of my journey,’ he remarked.
‘They know it’s been a turbulent ride, filled with remarkable highs and significant lows.’
‘I am simply thankful. I have no complaints; the better athlete prevailed.’
Hudson-Smith’s silver mirrored the medal he secured at the World Championships last year, and he shouted in frustration as he crossed the finish line, realizing Hall had beaten him.
‘I believed I had outpaced everyone, but he caught me right at the end,’ the Wolverhampton runner conceded.
‘I told myself that if someone would win, they would have to take it from me, and that’s what he accomplished.’
‘I’ve been the bridesmaid twice now, but my chance will come. I’m neither angry nor upset. I’ve clocked the fifth fastest time in history.’
‘This is only the beginning; I know there is a greater performance within me.’
‘I plan to continue building upon this, and I intend to surprise everyone. I’m ready to compete at the highest level.’
The British athlete praised winner Quincy Hall and acknowledged that ‘the better man won.’
Hudson-Smith’s silver matched the medal he had secured at the previous year’s World Championships.
Hudson-Smith remained confident that his time to shine would arrive, having established himself as the fifth fastest man in the 400m.
‘I have another four years ahead, and that’s the last you’ll see of me.’
Amber Anning advanced to the women’s 400m final on Thursday night after achieving a new personal best of 49.47 seconds, finishing second in her semi-final.
American sensation Noah Lyles is set to compete for his second gold in the men’s 200m final on Thursday night after qualifying with the third-fastest time, behind Botswanan Letsile Tebogo and his team-mate Kenny Bednarek.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma was rushed to the hospital on Wednesday night with suspected concussion following a shocking incident in the 3,000m steeplechase.
The world record holder and Tokyo 2020 silver medallist crashed, landing on his head after hitting a hurdle during the final lap and was subsequently carried off on a stretcher.
