European Athletics Championships 2026: Amy Hunt wins 200m gold as Dina Asher-Smith claims bronze

Britain’s Amy Hunt charged to 200m glory to secure her second gold medal of the European Championships as Dina Asher-Smith settled for bronze in Birmingham.

Hunt, who won 100m gold on Monday, reeled in rival and compatriot Asher-Smith down the back straight to cross the line first in a season’s best time of 22.19 seconds.

With the women’s and mixed 4x100m relay events left to race, the 24-year-old remains on course to fulfil her goal of “being iconic” to become the first athlete to win four European Championship gold medals in the same tournament.

Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke set a new national record as she pipped Asher-Smith to silver.

“Two out of four baby,” Hunt, 24, told BBC TV.

“This is becoming a magical week and one I will remember for the rest of my life.”

After struggling in the 200m earlier this summer, Hunt said she was ready for a “renewal of our vows” in the event.

And the Briton kept her promise with a composed performance that ended with her powering through the final 40m to beat her competitors and clinch gold.

She held her arms aloft and pointed to the sky in celebration after emulating Asher-Smith’s 100m-200m European double in 2018.

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.

“I’m disappointed to have a bronze but I think 10 years after my first medal, it is such an achievement to be in a place to come back year after year,” Asher-Smith said.

Before the race, there were hopes of a British one-two-three on the podium, with Asher-Smith, Hunt and Success Eduan holding the three fastest times in Europe times this year.

However, Eduan – who beat Hunt to win her first British title in June – finished sixth.

Hunt’s second gold continues Britain’s dominance in the sprint events in Birmingham after Romell Glave and Jeremiah Azu secured a one-two finish in the men’s 100m, while Matthew Hudson-Smith stormed to 400m victory on Wednesday.