- Matthew Hudson-Smith has reached the 400m semi-final at the Olympic Games
- The Wolverhampton track star dominated his series with the fastest run
- Britain’s Charlie Dobson also made it to the 400m semi-final.
Matthew Hudson-Smith booked his place in the men’s Olympic 400m semi-final after winning the opening heat at the Stade de France.
The Wolverhampton-born runner was the fastest to finish in 44.78 seconds, ahead of American Christopher Bailey, who also took a place in 44.89 alongside Norwegian Havard Bentdal Ingvaldsen.
Hudson-Smith, who was forced to miss the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after a series of injuries and setbacks, has bravely returned from a mental health crisis.
The former Wolves academy product, at one point a housemate of American world sprint champion Noah Lyles for a year, has risen from the bottom and revealed the depth of his struggles after claiming world bronze in 2022.
A year later she rose to world silver and at the Diamond League meeting in London two weeks ago she ran a world-leading time of 43.74, lowering her own European record and sending a strong message to her Olympic rivals.
Matthew Hudson-Smith booked his place in the men’s Olympic 400m semi-final after winning the opening heat at the Stade de France.
The Wolverhampton track star was the fastest finisher in the series with a time of 44.78 seconds.
Hudson-Smith was previously forced to miss the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after a series of injuries and setbacks.
There was a major news story ahead of the fourth heat, when it was announced that Bahamian defending Olympic champion Steven Gardiner had withdrawn from the heats.
The 28-year-old was due to appear in the fourth heat alongside medal favourite Quincy Hall, with no explanation given for his withdrawal at the Stade de France.
Britain’s Charlie Dobson also took first place in the sixth and final heat.
Britain’s Charlie Dobson also managed to advance as leader in the sixth and final heat, fighting until the end to outpace the rest of the field in 44.96.
Dobson, who faced Gilles Biron, racing in lane four for hosts France, said: “I’m really pleased to get started, we’ve been here maybe two weeks now and it’s felt like a long wait.
“I felt very comfortable and the atmosphere was amazing, especially when you have a French person in your race!”
Hudson-Smith and Dobson will look to book their place in the final during Tuesday night’s semi-finals.