Amy Hunt Wins 100m European Gold in Birmingham Thriller 2026

Amy Hunt sprinted to a brilliant 100m European gold in Birmingham, delivering an emphatic performance that thrilled the home crowd and cemented her status as one of Britain's brightest athletics stars.

Amy Hunt's Road to European Gold

The 24-year-old came into the event as the clear favourite, having already claimed world silver over 200m in Tokyo and a 100m Commonwealth Games gold just a fortnight earlier. Despite her usual slow start—at times looking like her spikes were glued to the blocks—Hunt powered through the finish line to win in 11.00 seconds.

Poland's Ewa Swoboda took silver with 11.02, while Belgium's Delphine Nkansa claimed bronze in 11.06. The race was a testament to Hunt's raw speed and determination, proving that a strong finish can overcome any early deficit.

Key Race Statistics and Comparison

Mixed 4x400m Relay: Silver for Great Britain

Earlier in the evening, Great Britain's mixed 4x400m relay team secured a plucky silver medal. Ben Jeffries, Charlotte Henrich, Toby Harries, and Yemi Mary John all ran well, but Norway's team—anchored by 400m hurdles world record-holder Karsten Warholm and Henriette Jæger—was simply too strong, setting a championship record of 3:09.62.

Max Burgin's Comeback in the 800m

Britain's Max Burgin also impressed, winning a stacked 800m heat in 1:45.80. The 24-year-old had bombed out of the Commonwealth Games semi-finals 12 days earlier, later discovering he was battling a nasty virus. After taking several days off, Burgin looked much more like his old self, offering hope for a strong showing later in the championships.

Attendance and Atmosphere

The Alexander Stadium, which seats around 20,000, looked barely half full for the Monday night session. However, organisers confirmed that 13,623 tickets had been sold for the evening, with 170,000 tickets sold for the week. From Thursday onwards, the event is expected to be a sellout, promising an electric atmosphere for the remainder of the competition.

Key Takeaways from the Night

• Amy Hunt wins her first major European 100m title, adding to her growing medal collection.
• Great Britain's mixed 4x400m relay team earns a hard-fought silver behind a record-breaking Norway.
• Max Burgin shows resilience, bouncing back from illness to win his 800m heat convincingly.
• Strong ticket sales indicate a packed stadium for the final days of the championships.

FAQ

With thrilling performances and a home crowd ready to roar, the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham are shaping up to be a memorable event. Amy Hunt's gold is just the beginning of what promises to be a week of high drama and athletic excellence.