Reigning world champion Steven Gardiner added the Olympic title to his growing list of accolades winning the men’s 400m gold medal in a time of 43.85 seconds at the Tokyo National Stadium.
The 25-year-old Gardiner had to work hard for his maiden Olympic title against a quality field that included former champion Kirani James and rising U.S. star Michael Norman.
Colombia’s Jose Zambrano finished second in 44.08 for the silver medal, with James adding the full set over three Olympics bagging bronze in 44.19.
Gardiner got this nose in front and had to fight off a strong challenge from James and Zambrano in the final stretch of the race, with Norman slipping after a fast start.
But the Gardiner banked on his experience from the last four years to produce the best run of this career, becoming the first Olympic gold medallist in an individual men’s event for the Bahamas.
Gardiner has emerged as the leading one-lap sprinter over the last two years, stepping into the void left by Rio 2016 champion and world record holder Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa. Van Niekerk failed to qualify for the final in Tokyo 2020, leaving his title open for the taking.
Gardiner auditioned for the position in 2017 when he finished second behind Van Niekerk at the world championships. He again proved his credentials as a championship racer, becoming the world champion in 2019 in Doha.
“It feels amazing. My first Olympic Games didn’t go well for me (he didn’t make the final at Rio 2016) but this one here, I’m cherishing this moment. Olympic champion,” Gardiner said. “When the gun went off I stumbled a bit coming out, but I recovered, I kept it moving, and with 200m to go, I started to push a little bit. And 100m to go, I gave it all I’ve got.
“I came across the line and saw my name on the big screen and I was in first place. I’m just happy.”
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