Hunt Shines in Birmingham as Asher-Smith Makes History
By Editor • August 15, 2026 • 2 min read
In a thrilling climax to the European Championships held in Birmingham, Amy Hunt continued her remarkable run by clinching her third gold medal, while Dina Asher-Smith etched her name into the record books. The duo led Great Britain's women's 4x100m relay team to victory, solidifying their status as sprinting powerhouses.
Hunt, a rising star in British athletics, celebrated her third triumph in just six days, having previously won gold in both the 100m and 200m events. The relay team, featuring Hunt, Asher-Smith, and rising talents Success Eduan and Imani-Lara Lansiquot, finished with a time of 42.05 seconds, leaving their competitors in the dust, including Switzerland and Poland, who crossed the line at 43.12 and 43.15 seconds, respectively.
“I am stood next to the real life GOAT,” Hunt said, referring to her teammate Asher-Smith, who now holds an impressive seven gold medals from the European Championships—a milestone reached a decade after her first win. This achievement ties her with Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Croatian discus thrower Sandra Elkasevic for the most golds in the event's illustrious history.
Asher-Smith's performance also marked a significant milestone, as she matched Polish sprinter Irena Szewinska's record of ten medals overall at the championships. Her seamless baton handoff to Hunt during the relay was seen as a symbolic moment, showcasing not only their individual talents but also the strength of British athletics.
“It’s such a privilege to be able to step on the track with these ladies,” Hunt reflected. “We were all superwomen together out there, and it was so much fun.” With the mixed 4x100m relay set to occur on Sunday, Hunt is on the brink of making history as the first athlete to secure four golds in a single European Championships.
Meanwhile, the men's relay team also shone, with Romell Glave leading them to gold in the 4x100m with a time of 38.45 seconds. The team, which included Jeremiah Azu, Louie Hinchliffe, and Zharnel Hughes, pushed through to victory against Germany and Belgium. Hughes now shares the record for the most European golds for a British man, alongside legendary athletes like Mo Farah.
As the championships draw to a close, Great Britain's medal tally stands at an impressive 12, including six golds, positioning them in close contention with Italy at the top of the leaderboard. Hunt's quest for a historic fourth gold adds an exciting layer to the final day of competition.
With Hunt's trajectory pointing toward dominance and Asher-Smith continuing to set records, the future of British sprinting looks bright. Both athletes have expressed their ambition to translate their continental success into global victories in the years to come. Asher-Smith stated, “It’s been over a decade of hard work with some incredible ladies and incredible championships.”
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
