Matthew Hudson-Smith’s 43.74 area record, world lead, meeting record and personal best in the Diamond League 400m was one of the event highlights, while the breakthrough performance of the day - from a British perspective at least - came from 21-year-old Sam Reardon with a 44.70 PB in the non-Diamond league ‘national’ 400m. Behind Hudson-Smith, Charlie Dobson ran a 44.23 PB to become the second-fastest British athlete in history.
Hudson-Smith had endured a frustrating 2023 that was interrupted by injuries but interspersed by moments of brilliance.
After a winter focused on making himself as robust as possible, the Birchfield Harrier destroyed his own European 400m record with a dominant 44.07 performance at Oslo’s Bislett Games in May. It was the perfect preparation for London, which was his final competition before the Olympic Games in Paris.
“Things are going great so far this season,” said the world silver medallist in advance of the race. “Having the opportunity to compete in a world-class field in London, with a sell-out crowd backing me, is a huge motivator as my preparations continue through the summer.”
Demonstrating his incredible potential, the 30-year-old led from the outset and opened up a significant gap over USA’s Vernon Norwood and Jereem Richards (Trinidad and Tobago) to win in 43.74, becoming the first European man to run inside 44 seconds and - at the time - moving him to equal 12th on the world all-time list.
Norwood and Richards finished with personal best times in second (44.10) and third (44.18) respectively, while Dobson - selected to represent Team GB alongside Hudson-Smith for the Olympic Games - finished fourth.
“To run 43 seconds before Paris is exactly what we were aiming for,” said a happy - but not totally satisfied - Hudson-Smith post-race.
“Thank you London!”, said Dobson on social media. “What an experience and what a send-off into the Olympics!! This year just keeps getting better!”
Less than two hours earlier, Reardon, fifth in the 2022 world under-20 800m, destroyed his 400m best of 45.99 in the non-Diamond League race with a 44.70 clocking. Until 2024 he hadn’t even broken 46 seconds.
“I knew a big run was on the cards, but 44.70!?” he said with disbelief afterwards.
There was an even greater surprise to come for the Blackheath and Bromley athlete who was later added to the Team GB relay squad.
In Paris, as in London, the British trio shone, and between them Hudson-Smith (400m silver, 4 x 400m bronze) - who moved up to fifth on the world all-time list with his exceptional 43.44 clocking - Reardon (mixed 4 x 400m and 4 x 400m bronze) and Dobson (4 x 400m bronze) brought home five Olympic medals.
The London Athletics Meet - the UK’s biggest one-day athletics event - will return to the London Stadium on Saturday 19 July 2025. Buy your tickets now: britishathletics.org.uk/london-athletics-meet-2025
