A heartbroken Matthew Hudson-Smith broke down in tears after he missed out on 400m gold by the barest of margins at the Paris Olympics.
The Team GB star found himself in a commanding position heading into the final bend and stormed towards the finish line with the rest of the field trailing in his wake at the Stade de France.
But Quincy Hall found a second wind and burst through from nowhere to pip Hudson-Smith at the death to clinch gold for the United States, with the 29-year-old Brit having to settle for silver – a year after his runners-up finish at the World Championships.
Muzala Samukonga of Zambia claimed the bronze medal in what was undoubtedly one of the most thrilling races of this summer’s Games on the athletics track.
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While the pain and anguish was written all over Hudson-Smith’s face, his time of 43.44 seconds was the fifth fastest 400m time ever. Hall’s time of 43.40 seconds has only been bettered by three men – Wayde van Niekerk, Michael Johnson and Butch Reynolds – in the history of the event.
After an ecstatic Hall was given the honour of ringing the bell, Hudson-Smith did a lap of the stadium, posing for selfies and signing autographs, before sharing a tear-jerking moment with his loved ones in the French capital.
First, Hudson-Smith found his father in the crowd and the pair embraced for some time as the emotions poured out of the Team GB star – and most people watching on from living rooms up and down the country, no doubt.
‘It’s crazy. Honestly, sometimes the journey is better than the outcome and it’s been a hell of a journey and I’m just grateful,’ Hudson-Smith told BBC Sport shortly after crossing the finish line.
‘I’m coming home with an Olympic silver, not many people in the world can say that.
‘I’ve been the bridesmaid twice now, but my time is coming so I’m just happy. I’m grateful and it’s just the start.’
Hudson-Smith said he had no idea his parents would be watching on at the Stade de France and the sight of his mum and dad in the stands came as an almighty shock.
‘I saw my family and I didn’t even know they were here!’ he added.
‘It was a bit of a shock really because I hate them watching me as well! My mum and my dad don’t really watch me because they hate it, just as much as I hate them watching me.
‘It’s crazy that they came and it’s been a hell of a journey, man.’
Though understandably disappointed to come so close to gold, Hudson-Smith said he was confident it was ‘only a matter of time’ before he gets his hands on the top prize.
‘We knew it was going to come down to that last 50m,’ the Team GB athlete continued.
‘I genuinely thought I had it but he had another gear. I hit the gear a little bit too late and as he came up he had one step on me and that’s it.
‘Like I said, it’s just the start really. Time to build. My time’s going to come, it’s only a matter of time.’
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