Matthew Hudson-Smith, the British 400m star, has opened up about his approach to overcoming the heartbreak of narrowly losing the 400m final to America’s Quincy Hall at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Hudson-Smith was just 0.04 seconds away from securing the gold, despite setting a new European record with a blistering time of 43.44 seconds. His silver medal marked a historic missed opportunity for Britain’s first global men’s 400m title in a century.
The 29-year-old executed a near-perfect race but faltered in the final stretch, allowing Hall to surge ahead for the gold. Overcome with emotion, Hudson-Smith was comforted by his mother, Cheryl, in the stands after the race.
Reflecting on his performance, Hudson-Smith acknowledged his primary weakness: maintaining speed endurance in the final meters. He has since focused his training on improving this area in preparation for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
In an interview with Runnerspace, Hudson-Smith explained how his training regimen has shifted to a more technical approach. “It’s more about mechanics and just holding form,” he said, acknowledging that while he is naturally strong and faster, his challenge lies in sustaining his speed.
He shared that staying disciplined during training hasn’t always been easy. “Sometimes I’ll go over in the run, and it’ll get [coach] Gary angry because it’s a lot easier to run faster than slower,” he explained. “Now, it’s about focusing on time—running the actual time and being okay with the pain rather than just running for the sake of it.”
Interestingly, Hudson-Smith revealed that he doesn’t experience the effects of lactic acid during or immediately after races, but feels it a day or two later. He also discussed the importance of maintaining the right posture and form during a race, noting that any misalignment could be disastrous. “If I get into a bad position during a race, that’s when it’s over,” he confessed. “I’ve got to lock in my hips and focus on holding the right position for as long as possible.”
Hudson-Smith’s journey to redemption is fueled by the lessons learned from his near-miss at the Paris Olympics. His goal for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo remains clear: to hold his position, maintain his endurance, and reclaim the gold.
