MATT’S BACK FROM BRINK
MATT HUDSON-SMITH won Britain’s fourth medal of the World Championships – then revealed he attempted suicide a year ago.
The softly spoken Brummie dropped the bombshell after taking bronze in the men’s 400m on the biggest day of his sporting life.
“It’s been tough, man. It’s been an emotional roller coaster,” said the first British male quarter-miler since Roger Black 31 years ago to win an individual world medal.
“In 2019 I tore my Achilles, tore my hamstring, messed up my hip; 2020 was Covid; huge mental health issues in 2021.
“Yeah. Not a lot of people know this, but I literally attempted suicide.” The Florida-based star was not finished talking.
Having kept his emotion in check through three rounds he wanted it all off his chest.
He said: “I was racing knowing I was hurt all the time.
“I couldn’t do the Olympics for several reasons.
“I lost my sponsorship, didn’t have medical insurance in America and got a huge debt. I applied for and was denied my Green Card.
“Losing people like Lloyd [coach Lloyd Cowan], who was a huge influence in my life, and [former GB boss] Mr [Neil] Black, who were always there for me.
“Imagine stepping on the line knowing you’re hurt.
“You have a whole load of pressure because everyone expects a lot from you. You expect a lot from yourself.
“I talked to a lot of people about not doing the sport, about becoming an electrician... and now I’ve got this medal.”
Kirani James, London 2012 Olympic champion and silver medallist here (44.48) behind new champion Michael Norman (44.29), passed by and patted him on the back.
Still Hudson-smith did not seem quite able to believe what he had achieved.
Meanwhile, American sprinter Sydney Mclaughlin took extraordinary to a whole new level, obliterating her own 400m hurdles world record by a massive 0.73secs.
It was the fourth time in 13 months she had lowered the mark, dropping it from 52.16 to 50.68, and it earned her a $100,000 bonus.