Vancouver Courier - Records for Asher-Smith, Hunt as Britain win 4x100m mixed relay

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Records for Asher-Smith, Hunt as Britain win 4x100m mixed relay
Records for Asher-Smith, Hunt as Britain win 4x100m mixed relay / Photo: © AFP

Records for Asher-Smith, Hunt as Britain win 4x100m mixed relay

Amy Hunt bagged a record fourth gold at the European championships on Sunday as part of the winning British quartet in the 4x100m mixed relay.

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Hunt, who went into the final having won golds in the 100, 200 and women's 4x100m relay, anchored a dominant foursome starring Jeremiah Azu, Dina Asher-Smith and Zharnel Hughes.

They won in a European record of 39.97 seconds, ahead of Germany and Spain.

"I am over the moon," said Hunt. "To finish it off with some of my best friends in the sport.

"The first time we did that changeover was an hour ago in warm-ups. Look how smooth it was. Such professionals.

"When you're queuing for a roller-coaster, and you're seeing the drops, but when you get off you want to do it all again. I loved it.

"It was so scary, but I love the new opportunity. End of the week we needed some newness. To do something brand new was amazing."

It was a record-setting eighth continental gold for second leg Asher-Smith, taking her clear of Croatia's discus thrower Sandra Elkasevic and Norway's middle-distance star Jakob Ingebrigtsen, each with seven European golds apiece.

The 30-year-old Briton, having also won two continental silvers and a bronze, also pulled clear of fellow sprinter Irena Szewinska as the most-decorated European athlete of all time, the Pole having won a total of 10 medals from 1966-1978 to Asher-Smith's 11.

"I had to run so fast, I'm with three fast people!" said Asher-Smith.

"I was thinking about representing my country and running as fast as I can."

Asher-Smith added: "I was terrified. I was absolutely terrified. When that gun was going I was like, 'Dina, just relax'.

"When I gave that baton to Zharnel I was so happy. I can't lie. I was like 'get this out of my hand'.

"It's good to get to try something new. The more we do it, the more we learn the tips and tricks of the event to keep running faster."

The gold medal showing capped a remarkable week for British sprinters, Rommel Glave and Azu having completed a 1-2 in the men's 100m, Hughes bagging a 200m silver and the men matching the women to win the 4x100m relay.

"We are super strong in sprinting, and we wanted to showcase that for the British fans," said world indoor 60m champion Azu.

"Amy is on the rise. What she has done at these championships is incredible.

"I have never said this, but when I started athletics in 2017, Dina was all everyone was talking about.

"I went and watched all of her tapes. It's an honour and privilege to be on the same team with her. You see these athletes, and you think, 'wow they're incredible' and we're teammates now, which is incredible."

Hughes added: "It was incredible. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Are you not entertained?"

Y.Nelson--VC