Amy Hunt runs 22.16 to prove she is not an afterthought

Amy Hunt finished third in the women's 200m at the Diamond League final in Brussels with a season's best of 22.16 seconds, just 0.08 seconds outside her lifetime best. The result came after she had won four gold medals at the European Championships in Birmingham. Julien Alfred leads the season with 21.79 seconds, Kayla White has run 22.00, and Hunt is firmly in medal contention. Hunt described the bend as one of the best she has ever run but admitted the final 20 metres were affected by a long season. Her training includes long reps with only 45 seconds of recovery in winter, which helps explain her ability to handle a packed schedule. The test continues with a 100m race the next night against Sha'Carri Richardson. Hunt then plans to double up at the Ultimate Championships in Budapest, which starts on September 11. The biggest risk is fatigue, not injury or eligibility. Her form curve is sensible and her performance in Brussels should be read as a sign of strength, not a warning sign.