RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Matt Hudson-Smith joked he would run for mayor after his latest win [Getty Images]
When newly crowned European 400m champion Matt Hudson-Smith took in his latest achievement , he joked " I'm going to go for Mayor of Birmingham and Wolverhampton!"
Now the joke could become a reality for the Wolverhampton-born athlete...well, for a day at least.
Reacting to the suggestion, the leader of the council in his home city, Stephen Simkins made him offer: "I feel sure we can let him have the civic chains for a day if he wants to contact us."
"Listen, when [you are]... leader of the city, you can do these little things... Of course we can arrange for him to be mayor for the day."
Hudson-Smith's win on Wednesday took him to a high spot in his sport's record books - his latest gold meant he is now the joint-most decorated man of all-time at European Championships.
His victory came as he flew past a temporary stand named in his honour at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium, a place where he grew up learning his running skills.
"I've got my stand. Now I'm gonna go for mayor of Birmingham and Wolverhampton," the 31-year-old said afterwards.
"So I keep asking, so all my boys are gonna have a job at the end when I'm done, so let's go. Vote for me, innit."
Wolverhampton has a little bit of previous when it comes to being mayor for a day - in 2021, Olympic silver medallist Ben Whittaker spent the day wearing the chains of office.
Hudson-Smith won gold in the stadium which has a stand named after him [Getty Images]
Hudson-Smith began his athletics career with the Birchfield Harriers club in Birmingham.
He paid tribute to people who had shaped him "into the athlete I am today".
"I mean countless athletes have come to Birchfield from the likes of Denise Lewis, Katharine Merry, Mark Lewis-Francis, Kelly Sotherton, the list goes on."
Merry said in response: "To remember everybody that's helped you get to that point is a very important thing to do in my opinion and Matt will do that.
"He'll list names off for 10 minutes if you give him an opportunity."
The Olympic bronze medallist also pointed out that, to have a stand named after Hudson-Smith was "lovely" but "it adds pressure" and there was expectation from people at the track on Wednesday night that he would win.
"But, no, he handled the pressure wonderfully well," she added.
Wolverhampton council leader Stephen Simkins said for the athlete "to mention our city fills my heart with joy" [BBC]
Denise Lewis, who grew up in Wolverhampton and also has links to Birchfield, said to watch Hudson-Smith's journey and for him to now be a multiple European gold medallist "just makes my heart sing".
Lewis, the current UK Athletics president, added: "His first coach, Sharon Morris, was here... in full voice last night and that was a beautiful moment when he went to her, this young boy... meeting again with his coach."
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GB's Hudson-Smith wins historic 400m gold on home track
Hudson-Smith storms to 400m gold on home turf
Olympic boxer becomes city's mayor for the day
Related internet links
European Athletics Championships
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