It was a fairytale ending for the British fans as the women’s British 4x100m team took a massive win to seal gold in 42.05 just moments after the men did the same feat.
In summary:
- Great Britain set a European lead on their way to gold
- Dina Asher-Smith equals most total European medals with 10
- Switzerland take silver with Poland close behind in in bronze
They were by far the favourites having not only qualified second fastest but also with the thousands of home fans in attendance eager to watch a stellar moment in history.
From the second the quartet of Dina Asher-Smith, Amy Hunt, Success Eduan, and Imani Lansiquot stepped onto the bright blue track, the British fans erupted.
But then as Asher-Smith and the rest of the field settled into their blocks it fell eerily quiet, anticipation loomed as the gold medal winning men’s 4x100m British team watched from the start line.
The gun went, and Asher-Smith burst out of the blocks, gradually eating up metres from the Swiss team on her outside in what was an incredible first leg from the sprinting legend.
But Switzerland’s Géraldine di Tizio-Frey and Italy’s Zaynab Dosso were within touching distance still at the point of the changeover.
Taking the baton for GB on the second leg was Hunt, who has made it clear she wants to leave Birmingham with four golds, as she continued to build a steady lead ahead of the rest of the pack.
Though it was Boglárka Takács of Hungary who ran the second quickest leg down the back straight to bring her team closer into the mix again.
Hunt handed over smoothly to Eduan, with the crowd rising to their feet as they could already see the gold was GB’s to lose.
The 21-year-old Briton, Eduan, then carried their lead round the bend with the gold medal nearly in their sights.
Once the baton was firmly in Lansiquot’s hands the stadium hit a new level of loud as she stormed down the home straight under the bright lights with a massive lead over the rest of the field who were left battling for silver and bronze.
Despite qualifying fastest and an impressive leg from Dosso, Italy were pipped just before the line and had to settle for fourth in 43.21.
It was Switzerland who came across the line in 43.12 to take the silver medal, while Poland’s Ewa Swoboda hung on for third in 43.15.
But all eyes were on GB as the four of them gathered for a group hug before soaking in the moment and celebrating with the men’s team.