Wolverhampton’s Matt Hudson-Smith ‘can be mayor for day’ after historic win

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.