British star takes swipe at BBC after winning 400m at European Athletics Championship
British star Matthew Hudson-Smith has taken a swipe at the BBC after winning the 400m at the European Athletics Championship.
The Wolverhampton athlete, 31, raced home to victory in his own backyard at the Alexander Stadium, crossing the line in 44.17 seconds.
Hudson-Smith held off his challengers in lane nine to win his third European title over one lap.
Following the race, the 31-year-old took aim at the BBC after claiming he was carrying an injury as he went through the rounds.
He said: “I was watching a BBC Newcast. You guys need to come with the facts, man. Saying I was injured and everything.
“The whole point of rounds is to survive and advance. I tried to conserve rounds. Me and my coach were laughing all the way around.
“We have a couple of big races coming up – the Diamond League final and the Ultimate Championships. It’s about conserving yourself and getting ready.
“I knew I was the best in the world. I knew that. On paper, I was a second faster than these guys.
Matthew Hudson-Smith took a swipe at the BBC after winning the 400m at the European Athletics Championships
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PA
“My coach said, once you seal the deal, make sure you do it. This is your home. Defend it.
“I knew it would take one hell of an effort to get past me. Every time someone beats me, I kind of end their career.
“I knew that for them to beat me, they would have to have a supernatural moment.
“Nobody is going to beat me on this track. This is my home. I have been here since I was nine. I know this track like the back of my hand.”
Hudson-Smith crossed the line in 44.17 seconds
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PA
The 31-year-old joked that he might run for “Mayor of Birmingham and Wolverhampton” following his success.
He said: “I have got my stand. Now I will go for Mayor of Birmingham and Wolverhampton.
“I’m going to keep asking, so all my boys are going to have a job at the end when I’m done, so let’s go. Vote for me.”
Muhammad Abdallah Kounta of France took silver, and Jonas Pijffers of the Netherlands rounded out the podium in a national record.
The 31-year-old joked that me might run for ‘Mayor of Birmingham and Wolverhampton’
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PA
The win was Hudson-Smith’s fifth gold at a European Championship, including relay medals, taking him to eight medals overall.
Describing his emotions at the finish, the 31-year-old said: “It’s hard not to cry.
“I think adrenaline just got me through. The story’s not finished. I’ve got the relay, got another two years [to the Olympics], and we’ll go from there.
“I think this is my last European Championships; I’m closing it in Birmingham. It’s real. I’m happy.”
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