Amy Hunt not celebrating double gold because she wants unprecedented quadruple

Team GB star Amy Hunt is eyeing a landmark quadruple after already securing two gold medals at the European Championships.

The 24-year-old claimed gold in the 200m in Birmingham on Thursday with a season’s best time of 22.19 seconds.

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That followed her superb 100m triumph on Monday.

And Hunt says she is not finished yet as she aims to become the first athlete to win four European gold medals in the same tournament.

“Two out of four, baby!” she told BBC Sport.

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

Time to refocus

Up next for the track star is both the women’s and mixed 4x100m relay and Hunt has vowed not to celebrate her achievements until Sunday night.

“I have got a debt to the ladies,” she added.

“We have got to come out here and make sure we show them who the best sprinting nation is in Europe.”

Compatriot Dina Asher-Smith took bronze in the 200m after being pipped by Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke.

Speaking to talkSPORT after securing her second gold in three days, Hunt said the feat had filled her with huge pride.

“I’m so proud of myself. To achieve something only two others have ever achieved.

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“To join that elite group and to do it at home makes it more special.

“I was on strict instructions after the 100. My coach said no matter what happens I need to get through as quickly as possible.

“I wanted to give the crowd the time and I’m someone who loves putting on a show as everyone knows. I love meeting the fans.

“It’s so hard in that kind of race with someone like Dina who goes out so incredibly hard and someone like Rhasidat who closes so incredibly hard.

“I knew I wasn’t safe until I crossed that line and I was so full of lactic (acid) that I didn’t think it hit me until about five seconds afterwards.”

Hunt continued: “I can’t even put it into words because I’ll start crying. It means so much because this year hasn’t been easy.

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“To do such an iconic thing, in Birmingham, as close to my home as I’m going to get.

“To handle the pressure. This is the first time I’ve come into a major Championship expected to win not just one event but two events.

“To be able to hold myself and showcase all the work that I’ve done. This medal is such a representation of so many different people.”

A gruelling process

Hunt’s heroics on Thursday did not come without some trepidation over her physical wellbeing.

Whilst training for the 200m, she had suffered low blood pressure due to the intensity of the sessions over what she describes as a ‘scary’ distance to run.

“Honestly, I think the 100 is the hardest mentally. And the 200 is the hardest physically,” Hunt said.

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“I have had a lot of health things going on this year – some really, really low blood pressure.

“The 200s have been really scary. I have been nearly fainting after a lot of my 200s this year.

“I just had to go into that one and get on the bend and be really brave. It was an amazing race.

“In the race, I was thinking about my coach.

“Before I went in, he said, ‘Just imagine me in lane 10 with a stopwatch and a whistle. Just keep those thighs up, girl. Just keep going.’

“I was just thinking of him and trying not to make the mistake of getting caught up in other people’s battles.

“The crowd were amazing. This is becoming a magical week and one I will remember for the rest of my life. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of it.

“I have got the 4×100 metres and mixed 4×100 metres coming up. It is not over yet. I hope you are not sick of my face.”