Matt Hudson-Smith vows to make a statement back on home turf
The Birchfield Harriers sprinter will return to the West Midlands for the European Athletics Championships this summer.
Matt Hudson-Smith has vowed to make a statement at this summer’s European Athletics Championships and show the world he is back in business after a testing 2025.
The 31-year-old was in fine form Novuna UK Athletics Championships in Birmingham as he claimed a sixth national 400m title, coming home in 44.45 seconds, ahead of Ben Jefferies and Charlie Dobson.
The Olympic 400m silver medallist missed last year’s event due to his daughter’s difficult birth and did not make the final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Now back to full fitness, the Birchfield Harrier wants to impress again on his home track as he attempts to win a third European 400m gold in August.
He said: “Last year, there were a lot of complications. I was world No.1 and then it was a whirlwind. I was at the hospital bed for five days straight due to my wife’s birth, and then when I got to the World Championships I was injured.
“I went in compromised, from world No. 1 to hardly making it out of the semi-final, which was tough. But it’s part of the sport really.
“My coach said I needed to make a statement coming into the Europeans to show that I’m back. I am excited to represent Great Britain and my family, and I’ll put on a show at the Europeans.”
The Alexander Stadium has had an extra stand specially built for the European Athletics Championships named after Hudson-Smith.
“I’ve been here since I was nine or 10 years old. I know the track like the back of my hand,” he added. “It’s just a testament to everyone who’s got me to this point, really. That stand is not just for myself; it’s for everyone who brought me on this journey. I’m proud, I’m happy, and there’s a little bit of pressure, but I’ll enjoy it.”
The 2026 European Athletics Championships will take place at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium from 10–16 August.
The continent’s best athletes will battle it out to be crowned European champions, with pole vault star Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis and 800m superstar Keely Hodgkinson just some of the names to look out for.
Novuna is the Official Finance Partner of British Athletics and proud sponsor of the GB & NI Athletics Team. From everyday goals to world-class dreams, Novuna backs the ambition of millions across the UK — from supporting British businesses and individuals’ plans, to powering British Athletics on the global stage. Find out more at www.novuna.co.uk
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