Local boy makes good
He had to win, really! After all, they had named the temporary stand (bleachers) after him. It was 22 years ago that a 9-year-old boy was brought to the Alexander Stadium to join the Birchfield Harriers’ junior program, which was headquartered
there. Matt Hudson Smith progressed through the junior ranks to become a three-time European champion. That he did it in Birmingham, in that stadium, in front of his own stand really was the icing on the cake.
He has now won 8 medals at 5 European Champs, including three individual golds. He has also won World and Olympic individual and relay medals.
Tonight, running in the outside lane, he went off fast, as he likes to do, held a significant lead coming into the final straight and had enough left to hold off all comers and win in 44.17.
Speaking at the press conference earlier this week, Matt described Birmingham for the visiting journalists: “We’re a quirky city, very quirky. I think we take the brunt of the jokes from the Londoners, and I would say they probably hate us because we took their girls. We’re a strong community. We’ve got the best food, I’ll fight anybody who wants to say otherwise. We have the best curry or fish and chips in the whole country. It’s a big city, but it’s so close-knit.
I love being home. When I am home, I’m out from eight to eight, so they’ve literally locked me in my room. I’m not out or anything, but we’re strong-knit, hard-working, quirky, good food, good vibes, a lot of alcohol. Honestly, it’s the place of dreams; if you know the right people, you’ll have a great time.”
He also shared his memories of the Alexander Stadium: “I don’t think people realize, compared to the old club room, this is shiny, this is brand new. I wouldn’t say it was run-down, but it just didn’t look as shiny as it does now. So, with the first European Championships here, you can see how far the club and the stadium have come.
“You used to see all these people, even the London 2012 Olympics when Team USA were here; my friends and I would sneak in to watch them. We weren’t supposed to be here, but we got in because we knew the routes. I grew up here, and this is my home, so it’s just amazing to see the changes, the development, and we’re going to do a good job for the Europeans, so it’s crazy.”
Matt said of his win: “I’m a proud Birchfield Harrier and this is my own track. I’ve been here since I was nine years old, so to do it here in front of my friends and family is extra special. It’s most likely my last European champs so there’s no better place and way to go out”.
Matt is a lovely man, to whom I have spoken a few times but rarely in a mixed zone as he generally tries to skip interviews immediately after races. Who cares, he did the business tonight. Matt Hudson-Smith, European champion.
