Great Britain took their third gold medal and third championship record on Saturday (18) at the European Athletics U18 Championships with Bronson Hearn-Smith gliding round the track to snatch the championship record and gold medal in the 200m in 20.70 from lane eight.
The championship record had been broken the day prior by fellow Briton Ethan Heggarty in the heats when he ran 20.77 but he was today disqualified from the semifinals due to a lane infringement.
Poland’s Bartosz Pytlik clocked 21.01 to win silver while Spain’s Iker Pineira ran a national U18 record of 21.08 for bronze.
“It still has not kicked in,” Hearn-Smith said. “I am over the moon and I have no words. A couple of months ago I was not sure I would make it to Rieti at all. And here it was a bit of a rollercoaster because in the heats the heat struck me.
“But I went into the semi-finals a completely new person, composed. And tonight at the start line I knew I was going to do something great. Yet I am more surprised than everyone else about what I achieved.
“I guess what helped me was the heat, the pressure of an international competition, working hard to get my head down and to run my own race. Being here in Rieti is my first time abroad and I want more of that.”
The Brit floated around the track, appearing to use very little effort, not seeing any of his competitors until he crossed the line and turned around.
Once he realised the feat and saw the time he fell to the floor, soaking in the moment as the British flag was draped over him.
While Pytlik and Pineira were in lanes two and three, keeping each other company the whole race, with the Pole only edging ahead in the final 10 metres.
“I am speechless,” said Pytlik. “My coach believed in me and we both felt confident already during the warm-up.
“He could see that I was ready. I followed everything what my coach told me to do and as you can see, it worked. I am very happy because starting from the lane two was not easy at all. Now, I am looking forward to taking a long break from competitions - unless I am selected to represent my country at an international event. Running is my passion - it is my life.
“I have only been training seriously for about two years, and it is amazing how you can fall in love with a sport like this. A year ago, I finished sixth at the national champion ships and now, I am standing here as a silver medallist at the European Championships. It is an incredible feeling.”
*Geoblocking restrictions apply in territories where Rieti 2026 is being covered by a national broadcaster