Birmingham, 17 August (H.S.): Britain’s Amy Hunt created history on Sunday at the 2026 European Athletics Championships by winning four gold medals in a single edition, while Swedish pole-vault superstar Armand “Mondo” Duplantis secured the European title for a record fourth consecutive time.

Hunt helped Britain claim gold in the mixed 4x100m relay. The British team comprising Jeremiah Azu, Dina Asher-Smith, Zharnel Hughes and Hunt finished first in 39.97 seconds. Germany took silver in 40.11 seconds, while Spain secured bronze in 40.42 seconds.

Hunt had earlier won the individual 100m and 200m titles, besides securing gold in the women’s 4x100m relay on Saturday. Running the anchor leg, she overtook Germany’s Gina Lückenkemper to seal victory for Britain.

“I’m absolutely delighted. To finish it with some of my best friends in the sport is incredible. We did it all together and it’s an amazing feeling,” Hunt said.

Asher-Smith Creates Another Record

Meanwhile, Dina Asher-Smith claimed the eighth European Championships gold medal of her career, becoming the most decorated athlete in the history of the competition. She now has 11 medals overall, one more than the late Polish sprinter Irena Szewińska.

The mixed 4x100m relay was introduced to the European Championships for the first time at this edition.

Duplantis Secures Fourth Consecutive Title

Olympic pole-vault champion Armand Duplantis cleared 6.15 metres to win the European Championships gold medal for the fourth consecutive time. The world record holder had set his 15th world record earlier this year in March by clearing 6.31 metres.

Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis won silver with a clearance of 6.00 metres, while France’s Baptiste Thiery took bronze after clearing 5.85 metres.

Italy Overtakes Britain in Medal Table

On the final day of the championships, Britain and Italy were tied with nine gold medals each in the medal standings. Italy moved ahead after winning gold in the men’s 4x400m relay, while Britain had to settle for silver.

Italy finished at the top with 22 medals, including 10 golds, while Britain ended the championships with 19 medals. Italy had also topped the medal table at the previous edition in Rome two years ago.

In the women’s 4x400m relay, the Netherlands won gold for the third consecutive time. Star runner Femke Bol produced a strong final leg to overtake Britain’s Emily Newnham. It was Bol’s sixth gold medal at the championships.

Britain’s Georgia Hunter Bell won gold in the women’s 1,500m with a time of 4:07.78, while Italy’s Larissa Iapichino secured the long-jump title with a leap of 7.00 metres.

Petros Sets Championship Record in Marathon

In the men’s marathon, Germany’s Amanal Petros won gold in 2:09:11, setting a new championship record in the process. Italy’s Pietro Riva claimed silver in 2:09:18, while Israel’s Gashau Ayale took bronze with a time of 2:09:21.

In the women’s marathon, Finland’s Alisa Vainio won gold in 2:22:26. Hungary’s Lili Anna Vindics-Tóth took silver, while Britain’s Abbie Donnelly secured bronze. Vainio also broke the previous championship record set in 2014 by nearly three minutes.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar