Matthew Hudson Smith’s glittering success just one year after his suicide attempt could serve as a beacon of hope and attract more people to the Athleticsclaims Michael Johnson.
British star Hudson Smith, 27, won the bronze in the 400m championships World Championships in Oregon in July before revealing he had endured “three years of absolute hell” after a grueling spell with injury and the Covid lockdown culminated in a suicide attempt in 2021.
Hudson-Smith went on to make history as the first British athlete to win medals at three different Grand Slams in the same summer after taking home the silver. Commonwealth Games In Birmingham before defending his European title in Munich.
“It is so good to see athletes who have gone through those difficulties continue to achieve success at the highest level, giving others hope,” said Johnson, the former 400m world record holder, speaking as an ambassador for the Professional Triathletes Organisation. US Open in his hometown of Dallas.
“But it also makes these great athletes human, and I think it’s great for getting more fans into the sport.”
American icon Johnson, 55, loved watching Hudson Smith’s medals in his role as a BBC commentator, and praised his decision to speak openly about his life. Psychological health He struggles while admitting that it’s always a personal choice to share this intimate information.
The four-time Olympic champion added: “I was very pleased to see Matt enjoy a very successful summer with a medal at the World Championships and Commonwealth Games.
“It was a good tournament and a good year for him. This is a very personal story, it’s his choice whether he chooses to participate or not, but he did it.
“Those athletes who decide to share their stories like Matt are important to the sport because the people sitting at home can recognize that and have been in the same situation.
“It was good to see Matt share his story but it is even better to see him achieve a lot of success after what he went through personally and what he revealed about his mental struggle, but also on the right track as he has also struggled with injuries.
“So, in two different ways, it’s kind of overcoming those two things.”
Hudson Smith, who is from Wolverhampton but now based in Florida, has struggled with achilles, hamstring and hip injuries since 2019 before struggling when he was separated from his family and stuck in the United States during the coronavirus pandemic.
Those fitness issues dashed Hudson Smith’s hopes of appearing at a second Olympics in Tokyo last year, having finished eighth at Rio 2016, but he was a rising force in 2022.
(Getty Images)
After Hudson-Smith topped the European Championship podium in August, he reflected on the seismic summer that life erupted when he broke 25-year-old Briton Ewan Thomas’ record per lap at the Oregon Diamond League in May before netting a goal. A trio of major medals.
He said: “It was a good victory, I did exactly what I wanted to do, and I am very happy to be European champion again.
“It’s been a busy summer, but I’m so happy to be able to compete against the best in the world, there’s really not much you could ask for.
“This win is a testament to my coaches and team around me that we’re on the right track, and we’ve delivered this year.”
Next, Hudson Smith gave a thrilling inspiring message to those who have been watching the post-Skipline a few years. He said, “Last year has been very low. You fight a lot of struggles and I’m sure everyone in the world is fighting their own demons.
But I bear witness that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Whoever goes through struggles, just fight through it and you will come.”
:: Michael Johnson was a special guest for the Professional Triathletes Organization at the PTO US Open in Dallas. The PTO is a new sports body owned by athletes that strives to take the sport of triathlon to the next level. For more information visit www.protriathletes.org
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