Paris Olympics: Quincy Hall wins men’s 400 metres Olympic title

American Quincy Hall won the men’s 400 metres Olympic gold on August 7, 2024, ending a 16-year drought for the U.S. in the event. Hall clocked 43.40 seconds, becoming the fourth fastest man ever in the 400m.

Hall narrowly defeated Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith, who set a new European record with a time of 43.44 seconds, to claim the gold. Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga secured the bronze with a time of 43.74 seconds.

Hall’s victory marks the first time an American has won the 400m Olympic title since LaShawn Merritt in Beijing in 2008.

Hall made a dramatic finish, overtaking Hudson-Smith, who had been leading off the bend and seemed poised to become the first British winner of the 400m since Eric Liddell in 1924.

Hudson-Smith’s performance echoed his recent experience in Budapest, where he also finished second in the world final.

Samukonga’s finish adds to Zambia’s Olympic legacy, making him the country’s third Olympic medallist and first since Samuel Matete’s silver in the 400m hurdles in 1996.

Kirani James, the 2012 Olympic champion, showed strong form in the rounds leading up to the final but finished fifth after struggling in the final stretch.