Amy Hunt wins historic quadruple golds at European Championships
British sprint sensation Amy Hunt secures four gold medals at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Amy Hunt claims four gold medals at the European Athletics Championships
- She previously broke the under-18 200m world record with 22.42 seconds at age 17
- Overcame a severe fully ruptured quadriceps tendon injury and surgery
- Relocated her training base to Padua, Italy under coach Marco Airale
British sprint star Amy Hunt has made history by securing a sensational haul of four gold medals at the European Athletics Championships held at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, capped off by victory in the mixed 4x100m relay.
Seven years prior, at just 17 years old, Hunt burst onto the scene at a meet in Germany where she clocked 22.42 seconds in the 200m, shattering the under-18 world record and running faster than any of her childhood idols at that age, earning her a spot among Vogue's 'faces to define the decade'.
Hunt's journey highlights the non-linear and challenging nature of elite athletic careers. Overcoming severe physical setbacks and making bold lifestyle changes by moving abroad underscore the dedication required to transition from a promising junior talent into a world-class senior champion.
Her path was far from straightforward. Following disruptions from the pandemic, a major setback occurred in 2022 when she suffered a fully ruptured quadriceps tendon during an indoor meeting in Birmingham, leaving her unable to walk and requiring surgery while watching the Commonwealth Games on crutches.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Refusing to let the injury derail her career, she powered through to claim an Olympic 4x100m relay silver medal and her first individual global medal in Tokyo in 2025. A key factor in her sustained progress has been relocating her life to the northern Italian city of Padua to train under coach Marco Airale.
Standing at nearly 6ft tall, Hunt continues to work on her blocks start, which remains an area for improvement. She has also had to manage unexpected challenges with low blood pressure during longer efforts, utilizing electrolytes and cold towels to overcome the issue and secure her European titles against fierce competitors like Dina Asher-Smith and Rhasidat Adeleke.
"Four golds was the dream and perhaps dreams do come true"
Amy Hunt
Looking ahead, Hunt has set her sights on an even bigger target: repeating her sweep of sprint golds at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as she continues to visualize her ultimate ambition on the global stage.
Source: BBC Sport
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