The City of Lights proved to be magical for Great Britain when the city hosted the 1924 Summer Games. The Stade de France was the ideal stage for a thrilling 400m sprint. Amidst a thunderous cheer, Eric Henry Lidell came in clutch for the nation. His impressive time of 47.60 helped him claim an Olympic gold as his own. Since then, no athlete has been able to clinch a gold for the country. Until Matthew Hudson-Smith came along.

After setting a European record of 44.26 seconds at the 2023 World Championships, he then went on to lower it at the Oslo Diamond Leagues this year by running 44.07 seconds. It dipped even lower at the London Diamond League, where he ran an insane time of 43.74 seconds. Poised as the favorite for the gold, the Brit sprinter was hoping to end the curse. “It’s not about the European record, I’ve got it,” he said, wanting to become an Olympic champion now.

On August 7, he finally had the chance to etch his name in history in the same city where the Flying Scotsman clinched an Olympic gold 100 years ago. However, he locked horns with America’s Quincy Hall, Michael Norman, London 2012 champion Kirani James, and Muzala Samukonga from Zambia. Even though he wasn’t the fastest off the blocks, Hudson-Smith found his pace as they moved onto the straight. The crowds couldn’t help but cheer their favorite on.

Just when they thought he had in it the bag, Hall quickly makes his way across the iconic purple tracks. Both the American and the Brit were now side-by-side, hoping to bring home Olympic glory. But Hudson-Smith wasn’t fast enough. Hall sped past the finish line first with an insane time of 43.40 seconds, while Hudson-Smith trailed behind in 43.44 seconds, setting yet another European record. But he wasn’t the only one. Zambia’s Samukonga completed the podium with 43.74 seconds on the clock, setting a national record on the world’s biggest stage.

However, the 29-year-old couldn’t hold back his disappointment. “F**k,” he yelled as he watched his dream slip away yet again. While he expected to do better, former 400m Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu felt otherwise. “Matthew Hudson-Smith did nothing wrong. Quincy Hall ran beautifully. He came like a steam train,” she told BBC Sport. She reiterated how these aren’t slow times. “Silver medal, European record, brilliant time.” Even though Great Britain’s hope for Olympic gold continues, he is the first Brit to achieve a podium finish in 28 years.

Quincy Hall’s magnifique comeback at the French Capital

Quincy Hall had only one goal as he stepped into Monaco’s Stade Louis II—he wanted to win. Not only did he achieve what he wanted to, but his impressive time of 43.80 seconds set a new world lead. The 26-year-old also became the only man to break 44 in the 400 m in 2024. But this didn’t come as a surprise to the Americans. “After the American trials, I knew I needed to step up my game a little bit and that it would be enough to run this fast.” All he had to do was keep that momentum going in the French capital.

With a slow start during the 400m finals, things seemed to look bleak for him. However, at the 300m mark, he seemed to pull ahead of his competitors. Despite feeling a strain in his leg, he refused to back down. As he caught up to Hudson-Smith, he continued to push through and sailed past the finish line in 43.40 seconds, setting a new personal best in front of a raucous crowd. The American’s dramatic comeback has left the track and field community befuddled. Where were you when Hall’s upset win shattered Matthew Hudson-Smith’s Olympic dreams?