Matthew Hudson-Smith hoping for Gold Coast medal
Wolverhampton athlete Matthew Hudson-Smith says it will be extra special to win a Commonwealth Games medal on the Gold Coast – because flat-mate Jazmin Sawyers helped re-record national anthem Jerusalem.
Hudson-Smith was part of the 4x400m relay team that claimed the Commonwealth title in Glasgow four years ago.
And any athletes that follow suit Down Under this month will climb atop the podium and have Walsall-based long jumper Sawyers and 2017 Britain’s Got Talent winner Tokio Myers’ version of Jerusalem ringing in their ears.
With World and European Championship medals on his CV, Hudson-Smith is no stranger to success.
But the Birchfield Harriers runner admits a victory at Carrara Stadium would hold an extra edge.
Hudson-Smith said: “It would mean the world to get a medal, have the national anthem playing and then not a lot of people could say they had their room-mate sing that national anthem for them!
“I live with Jaz, so I’m sure we’ll crack a few jokes about it. So that’s an added dimension to everything.
“The mood in the camp is really good. Everyone is in high spirits and excited to participate. Preparations are going really well.
“The support has been crazy. It looks like everyone is looking forward to the Commonwealth Games and I just want to put on a good show for everyone who is watching.”
Hudson-Smith ran the fastest 400m time of any British athlete last year, stopping the clock at 44.74 seconds.
However, after opting to take on some transatlantic training, the 23-year-old anticipates 2018 will prove to be something of a transitional year.
And Hudson-Smith admits he has already got an eye on an upcoming Games at a little closer to home, with Birmingham set to host the Commonwealths in 2022.
He added: “I’ve trained there since I was 10 years old, so I know the Alexandra Stadium like the back of my hand.
“Although I ran in London 2012, it wasn’t really a home Games because I’m not from London.
“Whereas in Birmingham I’m going to be as close to home as I could possibly be. I could probably compete and go and eat dinner at my nan’s straight after – not a lot of people can say they can do that! It will be nostalgic and quite amazing.”
