Amy Hunt continued her dominant performance at the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, securing the 200m gold medal on Thursday. The 24-year-old clocked a season’s best time of 22.19 seconds, adding to the 100m title she claimed earlier in the week. Hunt now has her sights set on a historic quadruple, aiming to become the first athlete to secure four gold medals at a single European tournament as she prepares for the upcoming 4x100m relay events.
Reflecting on her success, Hunt said TV, “Two out of four, baby! This is becoming a magical week and one I will remember for the rest of my life.” She emphasized her commitment to the team, stating she would delay any celebrations until Sunday night to focus on her remaining races and help prove Britain’s status as Europe’s premier sprinting nation.
Dina Asher-Smith, a two-time former European 200m champion, finished in third place to claim bronze. While she admitted to being disappointed with the result, the 30-year-old highlighted the significance of her longevity in the sport. “I’m disappointed to have a bronze, but I think 10 years after my first one it is such an achievement to be in a place to come back year after year,” she said TV. This medal marks her ninth at the European Championships, placing her just behind Irena Szewinska’s record of 10.
The race saw a tight finish, with Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke edging out Asher-Smith for the silver medal by a margin of 0.01 seconds, setting a new national record in the process. Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, a two-time European silver medallist, noted that the race unfolded as expected, with Asher-Smith starting strong on the bend before Hunt’s powerful finish.
Former world heptathlon champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill praised Hunt’s execution, remarking that she came off the bend “like a train.” Steve Cram, the former 1500m world champion, added that Hunt currently possesses the complete package of speed, endurance, and confidence, declaring, “This is Amy’s stage at the moment.”
The event had high expectations for a British podium sweep, as Asher-Smith, Hunt, and Eduan entered the race with the fastest times in Europe this year. However, Eduan, who had previously defeated Hunt to win the British title in June, finished in sixth place.
Hunt’s victory further cements Britain’s strong showing in the Birmingham sprint events. Her success follows the men’s 100m one-two finish by Romell Glave and Jeremiah Azu, as well as Matthew Hudson-Smith’s gold medal performance in the 400m on Wednesday.
Despite the pressure of the competition, Hunt remained composed, powering through the final 40m to secure the win. She acknowledged that she had struggled with the 200m earlier in the summer but felt prepared for this performance, which saw her emulate Asher-Smith’s 100m-200m double from the 2018 championships.
Asher-Smith, who finished fifth in Monday’s 100m final, remains one of the most decorated athletes in the championship’s history. She continues to compete at the highest level, noting that her focus remains on maintaining her status as one of the fastest women in the world regardless of external circumstances.
“I have got a debt to the ladies,” she said.
“It unfolded exactly how I thought it would,” two-time European 200m silver medallist Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake said on Radio 5 Live.
“I knew Dina would run a blistering bend and then say ‘Amy, come and catch me’.
Hunt reeled in rival and compatriot Asher-Smith down the back straight to cross the line first.
‘I hope you’re not sick of my face’ – Hunt wants more after 200m gold
“It was so exciting to see Dina and Amy side by side.
Asher-Smith won 200m gold at the 2016 and 2018 European Championships
After getting off to a rapid start, Asher-Smith was unable to hold off Hunt and Adeleke in the final push, but in finishing third she claimed a ninth European medal – a tally only bettered by the 10 of Polish ex-sprinter Irena Szewinska.
She was going to make her work hard,” former British 400m runner Allison Curbishley said on Radio 5 Live.
Then she started to over-stride, and the hips dropped.”
But there was further disappointment for the 30-year-old, who won European 200m gold in 2016 and 2018.
GB’s Glave and Azu claim European 100m one-two Published 2 days ago
