Dina Asher-Smith targets Olympic gold after record European Championships

The European Athletics Championships in Birmingham concluded with a historic week for British athletics. Amy Hunt became the first athlete to win four gold medals at a single European Championships, while Dina Asher-Smith became the most decorated athlete in the competition's history. The championships also saw Georgia Hunter-Bell add European 1500m gold to her Commonwealth Games title, and a series of relay successes.

Hunt's remarkable haul began with victory in the 100m, followed by the 200m, then the women's 4x100m relay, and finally the mixed 4x100m relay. In the mixed relay, the British team set a European record. Asher-Smith, who ran the first leg, collected her eighth European gold and 11th medal overall, surpassing the previous record. She later said she was targeting Olympic gold in Los Angeles in 2028, describing it as "the golden egg" every athlete chases.

The championships were not without controversy. Sparse crowds and high ticket prices were a talking point, with some evening sessions costing up to £150. Organisers defended the pricing, pointing to cheaper morning sessions. The event also saw the introduction of new guidelines from the European Broadcasting Union aimed at preventing the sexualization of female athletes through camera angles.

Other British highlights included Matthew Hudson-Smith winning a third European 400m title on home soil, and Romell Glave taking gold in the men's 100m ahead of teammate Jeremiah Azu. Keely Hodgkinson had to settle for silver in the 800m, beaten by Switzerland's Audrey Werro.

The championships ended with Great Britain and Northern Ireland second in the medal table behind Italy, with 19 medals including nine golds. The success has boosted the London bid to host the World Athletics Championships in 2029.