The 26-year-old American athlete Quincy Hall stunned everyone with his late comeback to win the gold medal in the men’s 400m race at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
From the beginning, Quincy Hall was fighting hard in the final race. However, the USA runner was initially struggling in the competition. But in the end, Hall did his best to snatch the gold medal. It was his personal best performance, as he clocked in 43.40 seconds.
It was the first gold for the USA in the men’s 400m event since London 2012. The country’s previous gold medal was in Beijing 2008 when LaShawn Merritt won a gold medal.
I know I can win: Quincy Hall
After winning his first Olympic gold medal, Hall showed his confidence. He said, according to Olympics.com, "I told you guys I was going to get a gold medal this year and I guess I just showed you I did it. I know I can win. I knew it today. That’s what I’ve been doing my whole career."
Zambia won its first Olympic medal in the last 28 years
In the meantime, Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith claimed the silver medal after finishing the race in 43.44 seconds, which was a new area record (continental record). Zambian Muzala Samukonga secured the bronze medal after setting a new national record of 43.74 seconds. It was Zambia’s first Olympic medal in the last 28 years.
Zambia has now recorded one silver and two bronze medals in their Summer Olympics history. Keith Mwila was the first Olympic medal holder for Zambia with his bronze medal in the men’s light flyweight (–48 kg) boxing event at the Los Angeles 1984. Later, during the Atlanta 1996, Samuel Matete recorded the only Olympic silver for Zambia in the men’s 400m hurdles event.
Trinidad and Tobago closely missed a medal; no medal for Kirani James
Trinidad and Tobago is still waiting for its first Olympic medal since Tokyo 2020, as Jereem Richards closely missed out on a medal in the men’s 400m event. He finished in fourth place after clocking 43.78 seconds, which set a new national record.
Three-time Olympic medallist Grenadian Kirani James failed to win a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, as he finished the race in 43.87 seconds. After winning gold in London 2012, James won silver in Rio 2016 and bronze in Tokyo 2020.
