Quincy Hall has triumphed in the men’s 400-meter final at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Saint-Denis, France, bringing the gold medal back to the United States. This victory highlights the U.S.’s return to dominance in a race it previously excelled in.
During the race at the Stade de France, Hall initially struggled, finding himself in sixth place for much of the first 200 meters. As he rounded the final bend, he was still in fourth place, yet managed to surge ahead and overtake Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith just before crossing the finish line.
“I don’t give up, man. I just grit. I grind. I’ve got determination. Anything I can think of that’s gonna get me to that line, I think of it,” Hall expressed after his victory.
Hall explained that his slow start was not due to his own speed but rather the aggressive pace set by his competitors, particularly Hudson-Smith, who took home the silver, and bronze medalist Muzala Samukonga from Zambia.
In a reflection of last year’s World Championships, where Hudson-Smith had beaten Hall, the silver medalist acknowledged the competition, saying the last 50 meters were crucial for determining the winner. “He got that one step on me in the last 50, and that’s all she wrote,” Hudson-Smith remarked.
The three fastest times recorded during the final also matched the three quickest times worldwide this year and represent some of the fastest Olympic times ever.
Hudson-Smith praised Hall’s athleticism, stating, “If you’re going to win, you’ve got to take it from me, and that’s exactly what he did.”
Historically, the U.S. has dominated the men’s 400-meter event, winning seven consecutive Olympic titles from 1984 to 2008. However, American runners struggled in the years that followed, with only one third-place finish. Hall’s victory secures the gold for the 20th time in Olympic history.
Hall finished the race with a personal best of 43.4 seconds, the fifth-fastest time ever recorded. Following his victory, he celebrated with a victory lap around the stadium, draped in the American flag.
Confident about his win, Hall stated, “As soon as they shot that gun, I knew I had it.”
Hall’s success is part of a series of impressive performances by Team USA in Paris. Earlier in the week, sprinter Noah Lyles captured gold in the 100-meter after starting the race in last place, and Cole Hocker surprised everyone by winning the 1500-meter final.
Once primarily a hurdler, Hall, an NCAA champion in the 400-meter hurdles, has transitioned to focus on the 400-meter race over the past two years, calling this decision “the best decision of my life.”
Looking ahead, Hall is set to compete in the men’s 4×400-meter relay race, with heats starting Friday and the final scheduled for Saturday.