Quincy Hall clinched the gold medal in the men’s 400-meter final at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Saint-Denis, France, marking a significant return to form for U.S. track and field in this event.
The race unfolded with Hall initially struggling, as he found himself in sixth place during the first 200 meters. Even as he rounded the final bend with just 100 meters to go, he was still in fourth position. However, demonstrating remarkable grit, Hall managed to overtake Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith just before the finish line.
Reflecting on his victory, Hall stated, “I don’t give up, man. I just grit. I grind. I got determination.” He noted that it was not a poor start but the fast pace set by competitors, including silver medalist Hudson-Smith and bronze medalist Muzala Samukonga from Zambia, that posed challenges.
Hall’s previous encounter with Hudson-Smith at last year’s World Championships served as motivation. Hudson-Smith remarked, “I knew that the last 50 was going to determine who wins the Olympics,” lamenting that Hall had taken the advantage during that critical stretch.
The final saw Hall run a personal best of 43.4 seconds, ranking among the fastest times ever recorded at the Olympic Games. Following his victory, Hall celebrated with a lap around the stadium while draped in an American flag.
This triumph marks the return of the gold medal to the U.S. in the men’s 400-meter race, a title it held for seven consecutive Olympics from 1984 to 2008 but has struggled to regain since. Hall’s performance was pivotal in securing the 20th gold for the United States in this event’s history.
The 26-year-old athlete plans to compete in the men’s 4×400-meter relay, with heats starting Friday and the final scheduled for Saturday. Hall, who originally focused on the 400-meter hurdles during his collegiate career at the University of South Carolina, praised his transition to the flat 400-meter race as “the best decision of my life.”