Calgary Tribune - Euro champ Hunt 'on her toes' against world's best in Zurich 100m

But the Cambridge University English graduate realises that the step-up from continental competition to the elite one-day track circuit, the Diamond League, is a big one.

Hunt, who packed seven races into seven days in Birmingham, will race in Zurich on Thursday in a loaded 100m.

The field includes world champion Melissa Jefferson-Wooden of the US, St Lucia's Olympic champion Julien Alfred and New Zealander Zoe Hobbs, who beat Hunt to Commonwealth gold in Glasgow last month.

"By the time I got to the relay, I was just like hanging on," said Hunt of her history-making European champs.

"I just needed 24 hours of not talking. I think the whole entire week of Europeans, I was probably talking non stop and shouting and screaming everywhere.

"But it's my first 100 since the Europeans and I'm excited to stand on the line and get announced as European champ. And yeah, it's real!"

Hunt said it was important from a personal development perspective to be invited to run at Diamond League meets.

"It's fun just to do the 100. This year has been a really big one for us in terms of kind of establishing myself as a 100m and 60m runner," the 24-year-old said.

"So I'm really, really excited to be able to come in for the Diamond League and have that outlook of just having fun with it before we head into the final part of the season."

- 'Amazing' lineup -

Hunt called Thursday's lineup in Zurich "amazing".

"I'm super excited to just have fun with it," she said.

"And oh my God! I'm so excited to be in a position to race against some of the greatest ladies of all time.

"I think I would look back and be so grateful that I have all these experiences, kind of where I am now, and then hopefully then looking forward to the future.

"It sets me up to be in the same position as them, and people are excited to be racing against me. So yeah, it's going to be a fast one for sure, and it means I've got be on my toes."

"It really challenges me to elevate my game... aim for where I want to be in the future and really aim for the stars," Hunt concluded.

Jefferson-Wooden, who departed last year's world champs in Tokyo with three golds, added that she was never complacent when it came to competition.

"Every single time, the one thing that I always do -- and I feel like it's why I've had the success that I've always had -- is that I never take any competitors for granted," she said.

Jefferson-Wooden and Alfred both concurred that regular duels in the 100 and 200m were beneficial for sprinters.

Traditionally, some athletes have picked and chosen events to specifically avoid certain matchups.

"Especially in years prior you'd see the men in the short sprints, they all wait until the end of the year to do the match-ups," the American said.

"But the women have never been scared to just get on the line and run.

"It benefits everyone if you get to see that person more often. You know the things you need to work on... it's a chance to better that.

"I think it's very beneficial."

Alfred, who ran the fifth fastest 200m ever at last month's Monaco Diamond League, agreed, saying: "It's always a great opportunity to get out on the track.

"You know it's going to be a fast race, it's always a dogfight," she said. "I take it one day at a time and try to do my best."

D.Taylor--CT