Our exclusive interview with Matthew Hudson-Smith took an unexpected turn
shortly after the 400m runner claimed the British men's title at the UK
Championships and Olympic Trials on a chilly, wet summer day in Manchester.
"Matthew, first of all, I'm concerned that your laces are undone. I
don't want you to trip over!"
The fastest one-lap runner in European history laughed heartily.
"You're not the only one who's said that," he responded with a
grin, kneeling to tie his laces in the mixed zone at the Manchester Regional
Arena, situated next to Manchester City's massive football stadium.
Hudson-Smith's charm is evident to anyone around him, a quality this writer
noticed during an interview at the Birmingham Diamond League in 2018.
At that event near his hometown, he invited his new U.S. training partners
for lunch with his grandmother, including sprint prodigy Noah Lyles, now a
six-time world champion and men's 100m Olympic gold medalist.
"He might come round for Sunday dinner today," he said with a smile. "They all will because I brought some (food) for my coach, and Shaunae (Miller-Uibo, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 400m) and all them lot, so I think they're all coming round after this."
Hopefully not for raw chicken, I joked.
Hudson-Smith roared with laughter. "They've been teasing me about
that," he said about the time he asked for his chicken cooked medium rare.
"You know you can have steak medium rare? I thought you could do that. I
lived with my nan and she does everything for me, so I'm just spoilt."
Six years later, I checked in on his culinary skills.
Hudson-Smith said, "You see, Noah dropped me in it. I did nothing, I
had everything catered towards me. So now that I've got YouTube, I've learned,
and I think I'm a decent cook. I've got a little barbecue set, so anytime
anyone wants to come around, just know I'm a chef now."
The camaraderie among athletes has played a significant role in
Hudson-Smith's journey. Their support has been invaluable, especially during
his challenging times. The friendships he has cultivated have helped him not
only in his career but also in his personal growth, showing the power of
connection and support in the world of sports.
This heartwarming aspect of his story adds a layer of depth to his athletic
achievements, making his journey to the Paris 2024 Olympics even more
inspiring. Hudson-Smith's story is a testament to the importance of friendship,
resilience, and continuous self-improvement.
As the Paris 2024 Olympics approach, the world will be watching to see how
these bonds and personal growth influence Hudson-Smith's performance on the
global stage.