A silver medallist two years ago, Georgia Hunter Bell kicked to an irresistible victory in the 1500m at the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham on Sunday (16) evening.
This was her third major gold medal of the year having already won the 1500m title at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Torun and the 800m title at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
In summary
- Georgia Hunter Bell upgrades from silver to gold in the 1500m in Birmingham
- Hunter Bell unleashes a last lap of 58.44
- Ninth gold medal moves Great Britain & NI ahead of Italy on the medal table
Hunter Bell was still a newcomer to the British team and not even a full-time athlete when she won a breakthrough silver in the 1500m in Rome two years ago but the 33-year-old upgraded to gold with a masterful tactical display.
Hunter Bell had the entire field under her spell as she led through the bell in 3:09.4. Her two principal rivals for the title in France's Agathe Guillemot, who won the European indoor title in Apeldoorn last year when Hunter Bell faded to fourth, and Poland's Klaudia Kazimierska were positioned on her shoulder, poised and ready to strike.
But Hunter Bell held the inside line with resolute intent when Kazimierska pressured on her outside and with 200 metres to go, the late bloomer of the British middle distance team was in full flow. Under the lights of the Alexander Stadium, Hunter Bell uncorked an electric last lap of 58.44 to win her third major gold medal of the year and the host's ninth gold medal of the championships.
The US-based Kazimierska, who has reached world and Olympic 1500m finals in recent years, was rewarded with her first major medal as she won silver in 4:08.80.
Patricia Silva, whose father Rui is a two-time medallist at the European Athletics Championships in this distance and has a grandfather who raced at the 1982 European Athletics Championships, added another chapter to her family's middle distance heritage by outsprinting Guillemot for the bronze medal, 4:09.22 to 4:09.62.
Agonisingly for Guillemot, this was the second time she has been run out of the medals altogether in a major championships this year having also finished fourth at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Torun.
What they said
Georgia Hunter Bell (GBR)
"Just getting myself in a good position throughout was always the plan. I thought, if it comes down to a kick, I've got it, so I didn't want it to go too quick. I thought it might be a 600m burn-up, which it was - and that was perfect for me."
"I think I need a little break to start evening thinking about the fourth gold at World Ultimate Championship but that is certainly the goal. Can I get four major golds in a year? I really hope so, it's the next big challenge but I'm going to make sure I enjoy tonight first before starting to focus on that."
Klaudia Kazimierska (POL)
"I feel so fulfilled. I came here for the medal and I am super happy to see it. I came here ranked fourth and coming second in the final means so much. I took a medal in 2018 [at the European Athletics U18 Championships] but this is my first senior medal so I am very happy about that."
"I moved to the US because I wanted to rise to another level. I knew it was the right place for me. This medal is because of that place and those people. This is also their medal. They support me and survive with me everyday. So this is for them."
Patricia Silva (POR)
"Patience was needed during this race but I always kept believing in myself and I am glad I was able to get to that bronze medal place. I gave it everything I had, and it was all very very close, so that makes me even more proud."
"This medal means everything to me, it is my first one at this level. It has taken a lot of sacrifices, but I am happy I have pushed through and managed to get to that podium. My parents and coaches are my biggest supporters and this medal is for them, too. I have to thank them, as well as all the Portuguese supporters, for their support."