“I almost got it,” said 26-year-old Matt Hudson-Smith after settling for silver behind Quincy Hall, who clocked the fourth-fastest time in history. Just four-hundredths of a second separated Hudson-Smith from gold, leaving him in utter frustration. In one of the most tense and thrilling 400-meter finals in Olympic history, Hall’s final surge snatched the victory. Hudson-Smith didn’t hold back, unleashing an explicit rant that left fans buzzing. Now, he’s explaining what sparked his outburst and the emotions behind it.

What irked Matt at the race?

Charging down the track like an unstoppable locomotive, Quincy Hall’s long strides propelled him to clock the fourth-fastest time ever recorded. He had been in fourth place with under 100 meters to go, but he unleashed a blistering final burst to steal victory from Matt Hudson-Smith, finishing in 43.40 seconds. Hudson-Smith crossed the line just behind him at 43.44 seconds, while Muzala Samukonga of Zambia took bronze.

The last-minute upset left Hudson-Smith visibly frustrated. Speaking to The Guardian, he said, “I am not angry, I am not upset. I was like: ‘Oh, fuck it, it’s life at the end of the day.’” He admitted that he challenged Hall to take the gold, and when the final results appeared on the giant screen, all he could say was “fuck,” over and over again. His frustration was evident during a post-race interview with CGTN Sports Scene, where he ignored the reporter’s questions and started eating, seemingly trying to cope with the pressure.

In response to that, Matt-Hudson Smith shared on his X, “Let me address this before things get a little out of control. I’m swore post race because that was honestly pure emotion. 2021 I was in a dark place in life watching the Olympics, 2024 I’m Olympic silver medalist 5th fastest time all time. Keep fighting people 😤 now onto 4×4”, highlighting the issues he encountered in 2021 and now this year. After suffering from the hamstring-achilles injury and mental health problems from 2019 to 2023, he believed that he could bounce back stronger.

But once again, with a slim margin, Matt Hudson-Smith’s dream of claiming the fourth-fastest time in history slipped away. “It’s crazy,” he said, reflecting on the narrow loss. He added, “I came away with an Olympic silver. Not many people in the world can say that,” acknowledging the hard work and determination that brought him this far, even if it wasn’t the gold he hoped for.

In a surprising move, fellow athlete and rival Noah Lyles reposted Matthew’s words. While Lyles is often at the center of high-profile spats and controversies, Hall remains focused on his career. By sharing Hudson-Smith’s post, Lyles offers a gesture of sympathy and solidarity. This act bridges the gap between their personal and professional lives. As their rivalry heats up, track and field fans eagerly await the next chapter in their battle for supremacy.

Hudson-Smith vs. Quincy Hall: The future of a growing rivalry

The 400-meter showdown between Matt Hudson-Smith and Quincy Hall could spark a fierce rivalry. This rivalry has the potential to define the next era of track and field. Emerging from “absolute hell”, a breakthrough victory at the 2022 World Championships brought Matthew Hudson-Smith’s first major medal, which was upgraded to silver a year later. His statement-making run in the London Diamond League final set a new European record. This performance showed that his talent had reached its zenith at just the right moment.

Now, this time, As Hudson-Smith charged toward the finish, Hall sprinted with a ferocity seldom seen. For 0.50 seconds, Hall chipped away at Hudson-Smith’s lead with long, loping strides. In the final moments, Hall unleashed a burst of speed that surged past Hudson-Smith. He won by the narrowest of margins in one of the greatest finishes of all time. Exhausted but exultant, Hall threw back his head and let out a primal howl, the cries of a champion completing the unlikeliest of comebacks.

“Everyone was proud. 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,” Hudson concluded after the match. He added that everyone is aware of the challenges Smith has faced. His journey has been fraught with difficulties at every step. Even after clocking a faster time in the finals than in the semis in Budapest, he still fell short. This raises a pressing question: will mental health challenges continue to impact athletes’ performance and hinder their success? What are your thoughts on this?