Games debutant Quincy Hall came from behind to win a thrilling 400m final for Team USA at the 2024 Summer Olympics, beating Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith by four-hundredths of a second with a personal best of 43.40 at the Stade de France.
Hall only switched focus from the 400m hurdles to the 400m two years ago and now has the Olympic title to add to the bronze medal he won at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.
“As long as I can start the race, I know I can finish,” Hall told reporters, via Citius Mag. “You can’t outrun a dog. A dog will chase you forever.”
The 26-year-old was not in the medal positions with around 100m remaining but produced a sensational finish to become champion.
QUINCY HALL OLYMPIC CHAMPION! 🥇 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/xqXEmocshs
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 7, 2024
📰 Table Of Contents
Quincy Hall: Olympic gold ‘means a lot’
Zambian 21-year-old Muzala Samukonga took bronze as all of the five leading finishers completed the race in under 44 seconds.
“It means a lot,” said Hall. “I’ve been putting a lot of work in. It’s my second year running the 400. Last year, I told you guys I was going to get better and better this year. And I guess I got Olympic gold. Olympic champion.”
Team USA medals run goes on
The victory continues a memorable campaign for American runners, including Noah Lyles’ triumph in the 100m final and Cole Hocker’s at 1500m.
Lyles edged his race by even less than Hall, taking gold by five thousandths of a second in the closest 100m final in Olympic history.
The 27-year-old will have a shot at a second medal when he takes part in the 200m final on Thursday, entering as the third-fastest man at the distance on record.
Hocker also won from what seemed like a promising position, capitalising on the two favourites for gold appearing to exhaust each other.
Previous champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen and world champion Josh Kerr had been expected to contest gold before Hocker stole the show.
Asked about his epic finish, Hall said: “That’s what I’m known for. I’m known to finish. If you don’t get far away to the left, I’m going to catch you. Every time.”
