Georgia Hunter Bell has taken inspiration from her compatriots when it comes to being open with her targets and she now has just one major victory this year to tick off.
The 32-year-old provided her latest tactical masterclass to win her maiden European gold on the final night in Birmingham, biding her time before producing a devastating kick with 150m remaining.
The chasing pack had no answer and Hunter Bell crossed the lines with arms outstretched as she added to the World Indoor and Commonwealth crowns she already has to her name in 2026.
“Going into things as the favourite and delivering is hard,” said Hunter Bell, who will bid to complete a golden year at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest next month.
“It’s much harder than going in as an underdog. It means a lot to prove to yourself you can do it as well as everyone else. I’ve been embracing the pressure and thinking let’s just go for it.
“Everyone knows I want to win, I know I want to win, I’m going to put my goals out there now.
“I’m really inspired by what Josh Kerr has done this year and the way he has spoken about it, Amy (Hunt) as well, saying what she wants to do.
“I really love how everyone in British athletics is pushing the bar up. We are in a fun era.”
Hunter Bell is blessed with an intriguing choice ahead of her as she weighs up her journey to LA 2028.
Her recent Commonwealth triumph and last year’s World Championship silver came over two laps and she could add further competition to a field including Hodgkinson, Audrey Werro and Femke Broeders-Bol if she prioritises the shorter distance.
But this performance showed she is equally at home over the longer trip, while she has not ruled out attempting to emulate Kelly Holmes’ achievements from Athens 2004 and doubling up.
“There’s still a lot left of this season,” she said. “I haven’t done a paced 800m yet and I’ve got one coming up with all the speedy girls so I’m looking forward to throwing my hat in the ring there.
“I had a bit of FOMO when I saw them on the podium but it’s such an exciting time. I’m just really happy.”
Life in the real world has equipped Hunter Bell with a perspective that means she doesn’t take these moments for granted.
Her role in cyber-security also provided useful preparation when it comes to coping with pressure while methodical planning is bearing fruit.
“We always go through everything,” she said. “Jen (Meadows) quizzes me and says if it gets like this, what would you do.
“A lot of the time the race doesn’t go how we planned but because we’ve done the preparation, we are ready to adjust however it goes.
“When I came out, I wanted to embrace the crowd but didn’t want to get swept up in the occasion, so I was all business. But I ran it logically and in the final few steps, I allowed myself to soak up the emotion and really feel it.
“That last 150m is always my favourite part of the race and it was really nice to come down the home stretch and know I had it. I’m really hoping to make it four in September.”
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