Amy Hunt wins unprecedented FOUR European gold medals as Team GB win 4x100m mixed relay in Birmingham

AMY HUNT produced one of the greatest feats in British athletics – and it took less than two minutes to achieve. It was fitting that Hunt would be the one to take the baton across the finish line at the Alexander Stadium in the final of Saturday night’s inaugural mixed 4×100 metres relay final. Amy Hunt won a FOURTH gold medal at the European Championships Credit: Getty Hunt helped Team GB secure a time of 39.97 – the first European team to finish under 40 seconds Credit: Getty The first European Athletics Championships to be held in the UK will be forever known as the ‘Amy Games’ as she collected a record FOUR gold medals in seven days. Across the four finals, the Newark sprinter’s work – which included the 100 metres, the 200 metres and women’s relay sprint – combined for 115.21 seconds. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Seldom has such little time on track resulted in such incredible history.The British quartet of Jeremiah Azu, Dina Asher-Smith, Zharnel Hughes and Hunt on the anchor leg delivered an European record time of 39.97 seconds. Hunt had enough speed in her long femurs to outsprint German Gina Lückenkemper, whose nation came second in a time of 40.11 seconds. This was a new event at continental level and it gave Hunt, 24, the chance for a clean sweep of titles. What a Championships this has been, what a runner, what a performer – and as she crossed the line, Hunt – ever the showwoman – flashed up four fingers to the cameras. This is an unprecedented moment in British sport, a magnificent treasure haul on the track. Yes, there are no Jamaicans or Americans in the field but let’s not be churlish – let’s celebrate this for what it is. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Jeremiah Azu, Dina Asher-Smith, Zharnel Hughes and Hunt delivered an European record time of 39.97 seconds Credit: AFP Hunt compared the experience to a rollercoaster as the mixed sprint is a new event. She said: “Oh my gosh, I’m over the moon. And to finish it off with some of my best friends in the sport. “Me and Jeremiah actually have the same birthday so we’re kind of twins. “To do it all together is incredible, especially because that was the first time we kind of did that changeover about an hour ago in warm-up. “The time ever – and look how smooth it was. Such professionals. It was a bit like you know when you’re queuing for a rollercoaster and you’re a little bit nervous and you’re seeing the drops and stuff. “And then when you get off you want to do it again. So it was that adrenaline kick certainly. I loved the event.” For Asher-Smith, this was her record 11th medal – eight of which have been gold – and that makes her the most decorated woman in the 92-year history of the European Championships. Preparations for her appearance on Sunday night had been far from ideal after she was among the many athletes caught up in a security scare late on Saturday night. Following the conclusion to the track schedule, armed police locked down the entire Perry Barr area, stopping buses leaving the stadium for the City Centre. Hunt is meticulous about her recovery methods post-race but it was not possible to follow the same routine this time as police investigated a serious incident. It has been a historic week for Hunt during an unprecedented week for British athletics Credit: Reuters Dina Asher-Smith won a record 11th medal to make her the most decorated star at the history of the championships Credit: PA A man was arrested following concerns of suspicious activity at the Championships. And it is not as if she could use her phone for doom-scrolling while waiting for up to an hour on a stationary bus. Her hard-nosed Italian coach Marco Airale had “threatened to take my phone off me” after the 100 metres final last Monday if she dared to look at her Instagram account or WhatsApp messages. The key was to stay locked-in and focused and she had not responded to anyone, even if they had sent a congratulatory note, saying: “If you’re not my parent or my best friend, I haven’t replied to you.” It will only be this week that she will be able to return to reality and remove herself from the competition bubble. When she does, she might truly learn what she has done and how she has managed to capture the imagination of the public. If she thought life was crazy now, then it will only get busier over the next two years as the countdown to the LA 2028 Olympics hots up, especially after becoming a household name. Life for Hunt after what he has done in the West Midlands will never be the same again. Comment now