Amy Hunt's first coach 'chuffed' for her success

News imageSam Mellish for British Athletics Amy Hunt - a woman in a sparkly blue Nike vest - is draped in a union jack flag which she is holding out into the air with one hand. In her other hand she is holding a gold circular medal. She has brown hair slicked back and is smiling. A blurred racetrack can be seen behind her.Sam Mellish for British Athletics
Amy Hunt attended Grantham Athletic Club in Lincolnshire at the age of 12

British sprint star Amy Hunt was "just meant to do what she does", one of her first running coaches has said.

The 24-year-old, who was a member of Grantham Athletic Club at the age of 12, won four gold medals at the European Athletics Championships in the women's 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay and the mixed 4x100m relay.

She is among the front-runners to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Ian Richards, who was Amy's first sprint coach at Grantham Athletic Club, said he felt "chuffed" to see what Amy was achieving.

News imageIan Richards - a man with short, white hair - is looking into the camera and wearing a red and black athletics top. A red running track can be seen behind him.
Ian Richards says he encouraged Amy to start doing sprint work at Grantham Athletic Club

Richards, 72 and now retired, said: "When I first saw her, she came down to do some middle-distance running.

"I looked at her and thought that's not a middle distance runner.

"I told her next time she comes on a Monday night to do some sprint work. She came along and, really, it was a duck to water."

Phil Garner, 65, chair of Grantham Athletic Club, said: "That professional attitude, that confidence and that ability is just stunning."

"For the youngsters, Amy is a new name and they're in awe to hear that she was running around here 10 years ago."

He said he was "screaming, shouting and clapping" at the TV when he watched Amy, who is from Newark, compete.

He added that, while the Covid-19 pandemic "was a real knock for athletics", the sport was "now picking up".

News imagePhil Garner - a bald man with a white moustache, stubble and beard - is wearing sunglasses and smiling at the camera. He is wearing a red and black Grantham Athletics Club top. Behind him is a red running track and blue plastic seats which are empty.
Phil Garner says youngsters at Grantham Athletic Club are "in awe" that Amy Hunt had run there

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