Matthew Hudson-Smith took silver in a dramatic men's 400m final at the Stade de France.
The 29-year-old looked set to become Team GB's first male winner over the distance in 100 years after Eric Liddell of Chariots of Fire fame stormed to gold at Paris 1924.
But an incredible fightback in the final few metres by the USA's Quincy Hall saw the American clinch the victory, with Zambia's Muzala Samukonga taking bronze.
Hudson-Smith clocked a brand new lifetime best and European record of 43.44 to become the fifth-fastest one-lap runner of all time.
The Brit started out strong in Paris, leading out the field as they made it to the final bend and keeping composed ahead of the line.
But it was not enough for Hudson-Smith on the day and he was ultimately overhauled by Hall who similarly set a new personal best to cross the line in 44.40.
SO CLOSE to gold for Matthew Hudson-Smith, but he'll have to settle for silver 🥈🤏
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 7, 2024
Team USA's Quincy Hall pips him to the finish line after a blistering men's 400m final 🏁#BBCOlympics #Olympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/eGXHCr1tyx
A first Olympic medal marks the end of unfinished business for Hudson-Smith who finished eighth at Rio 2016 and saw injury ruin his chances for medal contention at Tokyo 2020.
A powerful advocate for speaking up about mental health issues, Hudson-Smith was able to reflect on just how far he has come to stand on an Olympic podium.
"It was crazy," he said. "Sometimes the journey is better than the result and it's been a hell of a journey.
"I'm just grateful. I've got an Olympic silver medal and how many people can say that?
"I've been the bridesmaid a couple of times now but my time is coming. I'm just happy and grateful."
Starting in lane six, Hudson-Smith made a strong start and sat third after the first 100m behind a fast-starting Jereem Richards and Kirani James.
However, Hudson-Smith made his move down the back straight and worked his way into second, before grabbing the lead around the final bend.
He motored away from the field at the top of the home straight but Hall reeled him in and beat him with his own personal best time of 43.40s.
"I ran it exactly the way my coach told me to," he added. "We knew it was going to come down to the last 50 and I thought I had it but he had an extra gear.
"I hit the gear a little bit too late, as we came up he had one step on me and that was it.
"But I'm healthy, this is just the start and time to build. My time is going to come."
Elsewhere on a thrilling night at the Stade de France, Amber Anning reached the final of the women’s 400m with a new personal best.
Anning finished second in the third semi-final, enough for automatic qualification, and set the fourth fastest time of anyone with a 49.47s.
And after winning bronze as part of the mixed 4x400m relay on the opening night of action, she noted her hunger to reach the podium again in Paris.
“I’ve worked so hard for this, I was third in the heats so I knew what time I’d have to run to make this final. So I just executed my race,” she said.
“I definitely have a lot of confidence going into Friday. That was a slight personal best. I’m so proud that I’ve given myself a chance for a medal.
“I’m going back to the drawing board and get my recovery done tomorrow. That medal has given me so much motivation to win another one. I want it more for myself and just go again.
“I love running in front of that crowd. The support, especially the British support, propels me round the track. I’m loving every second of it.”
Sportsbeat 2024