European 400m record holder Matthew Hudson-Smith faces an Olympic final re-match in London on the build up to the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships, where he will be targeting a third title on his home track.
The 31-year-old British athlete takes on Quincy Hall for the first time since their historic clash at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The pair produced one of the greatest one-lap races in Olympic history, where Hall stormed to gold in a lifetime best of 43.40, while Hudson-Smith claimed silver in 43.44 - lowering his own European record.
In a race of exceptional depth, five athletes broke the 44-second barrier, with Hall and Hudson-Smith moving to fourth and fifth on the world all-time list respectively.
Now, less than a year on, they renew their rivalry at the London Diamond League on 18 July in what promises to be another world-class showdown.
Home hat-trick on horizon?
For Hudson-Smith, the race carries added significance. The British star is a two-time European 400m champion, having claimed continental titles at Berlin 2018 and Munich 2022.
With the European Athletics Championships taking place on his long-time training base in Birmingham on 10-16 July, he will be targeting an unprecedented third title on home soil.
The Olympic silver medallist also boasts an outstanding record at the London Stadium. He won the 2024 edition in a meeting record of 43.74—then a personal best, world lead and European record—and returned in 2025 to clock 44.27 for second place, another performance among the fastest of his career.
Hall, meanwhile, will make his London debut. The Olympic champion has raced sparingly since Paris and missed the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo due to injury, adding further intrigue to this high-profile rematch.
Madness
Reflecting on his journey, Hudson-Smith said: “There was a lot of madness last year. I had hamstring injuries and I was ill, then in the buildup to Tokyo I became a dad, which was amazing but obviously stressful too.
“Things have settled down now, my winter training has gone well and I have an exciting summer ahead. It would mean a lot to return to the London Stadium and deliver another strong performance for the fans who have always backed me.
“My perspective has changed over the last few months and that’s probably for the better. Staying healthy is my priority.
“Before, I was chasing medals and glory for myself, but now I want to create history and make great memories for my family. I think the best is still to come.”
With European glory in Birmingham firmly in his sights, Hudson-Smith’s path back to the top begins with a blockbuster Olympic final rematch in London.