American runners are refusing to withdraw from Paris.
Quincy Hall produced a stunning comeback in the 400 meters on Wednesday to become the latest American athlete to win an Olympic gold medal.
The 26-year-old went from fourth to first with a brilliant finish in Saint-Denis, overtaking Trinidad and Tobago’s Jerem Richards, then Matthew Hudson-Smith of Britain and Muzala Samukhonga of Zambia to record the fourth-fastest finishing time in history, 43 minutes 40 seconds.
“I just won,” he told reporters. “This is it. For the next four years I can say I’m an Olympic champion.”
Hall’s victory was just 0.04 seconds ahead of Hudson-Smith’s second place, with the Briton’s time of 43.44 seconds making it the fifth fastest race in history.
Hall went down to his truck and celebrated by dancing snow angels.
His spectacular win came the day after Cole Hocker made a stunning comeback to win the gold medal for the United States in the 1,500 meters.
On Sunday, Noah Lyles fought back from a slow start to surge from seventh place to take the top spot in the 100 meters. In a photo finish, Lyles threw his torso over the finish line to beat Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson by just 0.005 seconds.
2024 Paris Olympics
Hall made a furious comeback to become the first U.S. runner to win the 400 meters at Olympic Games since LaShawn Merritt in 2008.
“I have determination,” Hall told reporters. “That’s what got me to that line. A lot of hurt, a lot of pain.”
