Cathal Dennehy

Amy Hunt’s record four gold medals at the European Championships have reinforced her status as Britain’s leading sprinter, but her outspoken confidence has also attracted criticism and online abuse. Her bold predictions, celebratory gestures and refusal to downplay her achievements are portrayed as a positive contrast to the modesty often expected of female athletes. The piece argues that athletics needs more personalities like Hunt to attract public attention and that criticism of her self-belief reflects a gendered double standard, particularly when compared with the swagger routinely accepted from male sprinters.