Amy Hunt wins women’s 100m at 2026 European Athletics Championships, Birmingham; First European title, 11.00s
2026 European Athletics Championships: Amy Hunt wins women’s 100m title, Asher-Smith fifth
2026 European Athletics Championships: Amy Hunt wins women’s 100m title, Asher-Smith fifth
The British athlete stunned a stacked field to claim her first European title in 11.00s, with Ewa Swoboda (Poland) winning silver, just like she did two years ago, and Belgian Delphine Nkansa claiming bronze.
Amy Hunt’s remarkable 2026 continued with victory in the 100m at the 2026 European Athletics Championships in front of a home crowd at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on Monday (10 August).
Hunt, one of the most in-form sprinters in Europe this season, produced another trademark finish to cross the line in 11.00 seconds and claim her first senior continental title, before celebrating with a delighted partisan crowd in England’s second biggest city.
The Briton did not make the fastest start, and appeared to be fifth at the 50m point of the race before reeling in the field in stride.
Her powerful finish, which has become one of her biggest strengths this season, carried her past the field and into the European title.
It capped a remarkable few weeks for the 23-year-old.
Hunt won her first senior 100m national title before claiming silver at the 2026 Commonwealth Games last month. Now, she has added a European crown to her growing collection.
“I took a lot from what I learned in Glasgow (Commonwealth Games) into today,” Hunt said after the race. “From being nervous and being in front of a home crowd; I was nervous today.
“My coach would probably call my start trash,” she laughs, “But I work really hard and I know I’m really strong in the last 40m, that’s important in championship races.
“I feel like my best times have been when I’ve rose to that pressure.”
Poland’s Ewa Swoboda finished second in 11.02 to claim silver, matching the medal she won at the previous European Championships in Rome two years ago.
Belgium’s Delphine Nkansa completed the podium in a personal best 11.06 , earning the 24-year-old her first senior individual medal at a major championships.
Nkansa, the 2023 European U23 champion, held her nerve in a tightly contested final to secure her breakthrough bronze.
Defending champion Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain finished fifth in 11.10 , matching the season’s best she had set in the semi-finals earlier on Monday.
Picture by 2026 Getty Images
Athletics | European Championships | Birmingham | United Kingdom