American athlete Quincy Hall secured a thrilling victory in the men’s 400-meter final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, marking a significant comeback for the U.S. in an event they once dominated. The race, held at the Stade de France, showcased Hall’s tenacity and determination.
Initially, Hall appeared to be out of contention, lagging in sixth place for the first 200 meters. Even with only 100 meters left, he was still trailing in fourth place. However, Hall’s relentless effort saw him overtaking Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith just before the finish line.
“I don’t give up, man. I just grit. I grind. I got determination. Anything I can think of that’s gonna get me to that line, I think of it,” Hall said after the race.
Hall noted that his competitors, especially Hudson-Smith and Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga, who won bronze, set an exceptionally fast pace from the start. “I knew these guys were gonna get out and they were gonna come for blood early. They were going to go out and try to see who they could throw off the race,” Hall explained.
Hudson-Smith, reflecting on the race, acknowledged the decisive moment: “I knew that the last 50 was going to determine who wins the Olympics. He got that one step on me in the last 50, and that’s all she wrote.”
The final times recorded in this race were the fastest globally this year and ranked among the seven quickest in Olympic history. Hudson-Smith praised Hall, stating, “Quincy’s one hell of an athlete. I’ve been saying all year, ‘If you’re going to win, you’ve got to take it from me,’ and that’s exactly what he did.”
For years, the U.S. dominated the men’s 400-meter, winning seven straight Olympic titles from 1984 to 2008. However, American runners struggled in subsequent years, achieving only one third-place finish. Hall’s victory restored the U.S. legacy, marking the 20th American gold in the event’s history.
Hall’s winning time of 43.4 seconds was a personal best and the fifth-fastest time ever recorded. After his win, Hall celebrated by removing his shoes and taking a victory lap around the stadium with the American flag draped over his shoulders. When asked when he knew he’d won, Hall confidently replied, “As soon as they shot that gun, I knew I had it.”
This victory follows a pattern of dramatic comebacks by Team USA in the Paris track and field events. Earlier, Noah Lyles won gold in the 100-meter after a slow start, and Cole Hocker captured an unexpected victory in the 1500-meter final.
Originally a 400-meter hurdler and NCAA champion at the University of South Carolina, Hall transitioned to the 400-meter race over the past two years, a move he called “the best decision of my life.”
Hall is set to compete again in the men’s 4×400-meter relay, with heats beginning on Friday and the final on Saturday.
