Hometown favourite and European record holder Matthew Hudson-Smith triumphed on the Alexander Stadium where he has trained since childhood.Kounta was just 0.23sec off his winning time of 44.17, a career second fastest time after setting a personal best in the semi-finals."I'm coming back from a very long way, people don't know how hard it's been," said Kounta.Kounta was suspended for six months by the French Athletics Federation after the 2024 Paris Olympics for having posted and shared on social networks comments inciting hatred, notably against Israel."The people who know me support me, I received backing from people in the French team who told me, 'We know you're not like that', and that gave me a lot of comfort," he said.Kounta was again quick to apologise "to the people who misunderstood what I said. I simply supported the Palestinian people"."I'm very proud to represent my country, France, and when I wear this jersey I think it shows."Unknown ChristieKounta began the summer with a personal best of 45.12sec, but acknowledges that he has thrived on a season without injury and a more professional approach than in the past."Before, people knew me as the grafter, the crazy guy shouting in training, throwing up after every session," he said."Now I've learned to listen to my body, to know when to ease off."