Matthew Hudson-Smith wins 400m gold at Birmingham, UK; fifth European championship gold

2026 European Athletics Championships: Matthew Hudson-Smith, from “ground zero” to golden European hero: “There’s pressure, but you know what? I’m an Olympic silver medallist"

At the home track he grew up racing on, GB’s Matthew Hudson-Smith reacts to sealing his third and “final” European individual medal.

For Birmingham 2026, nothing could eclipse a homecoming destined in the stars as Matthew Hudson-Smith stormed to 400 metres men’s gold on his childhood track at the 2026 European Athletics Championships on Wednesday (12 August).

“ I sealed my last European Championships in my hometown, home city, in front of my family, in front of my stand; I’m trying not to cry! ” he said after the race . “Words can’t describe how much that means to me.”

The 31-year-old claimed fifth European championship gold medal, and third individual victory in the competition to take the Team GB sprinting medal tally to three in the Championships’ maiden time on British soil.

Matthew Hudson-Smith on hometown European Athletics Championships: “This is my London 2012”

After a tight semi-final, some questions had been raised when he had to dig deep in the semi-finals to secure his spot.

“I switched off in the heats,” he admitted after his win in the final.

“Everyone was saying I was injured or nervous. I was just laughing. I knew what I needed to do. The whole point of this was to win.

“ There’s pressure, but you know what? I’m an Olympic silver medallist .

“I lost the (individual) Olympics by one step. I’ve ran world-record pace to 350m.

“I know other countries (outside of Europe) are contenders elsewhere, but on my day I can be the best in the world . I know I’m one of the most consistent and that today it would take one hell of an effort for anyone to beat me. Tonight, I was just running off adrenaline."

“I had a bad year last year, I got injured. I had to start from ground zero . Me and my team got me back to this point. And this week was about bouncing back, starting afresh and getting the gold. Today is a stepping-stone. It bodes well, and we’re building towards something special.”

Hudson-Smith will compete in his final European Championships event in the 4x400m men’s relay, which will begin its first round on Friday (14 August).

Athletics | European Championships | Birmingham | United Kingdom