There was a sense that Asher-Smith’s seamless baton changeover to Hunt was a symbolic moment, in its wider context.
As one British sprint star achieved a piece of history a decade in the making, the other continued to demonstrate that she is only just getting started.
Asher-Smith, a world champion over 200m and British record holder over both sprint distances, has amassed 22 senior international medals since making her debut in the women’s 4x100m squad at the 2013 World Championships.
She was the last athlete to achieve a sprint treble at the European Championships in 2018, 12 months before completing her rise to the top of an individual global podium.
Until now.
Hunt, undeniably the star of these championships as she seeks to capture an “iconic” four golds, will ultimately hope to emulate Asher-Smith and translate continental dominance to global success in the coming years.
Continuing to progress rapidly following an injury-disrupted start to her senior career, the Cambridge University graduate claimed a breakthrough first individual global medal with world silver in Tokyo last year.
Back on home soil, Hunt made no secret that she intends to take it all this week.
So far, none have been able to stop her. But her work in Birmingham is not yet complete.
Monday’s 100m gold represented her first senior international title. Then she held off Asher-Smith in the 200m. Now, joining forces with her British team-mates to retain their relay title, the treble is hers.
The mixed 4x100m is a new addition to these championships, and not a gold previously available to Asher-Smith as she built her record collection of honours.
It remains to be seen whether Asher-Smith will choose to join Hunt in that event, which would give her the chance to assert herself as the outright most successful athlete in championship history.
