"Gladiator-Fan Amy Hunt: European Athletics Star's Daily Health Checks After Harrowing Near-Collapse"

AMY HUNT says her blood pressure dipped so low at times during the season that it freaked out her sister and parents – and she almost collapsed last month after a race in London.

But to ensure after heavy track training sessions, she has to be tested daily “like an old lady”.

After the Newark sprinter won the 200 metres crown on Thursday night – this at the European Championships – she revealed she had been suffering with serious health issues.

Speaking an hour after that success , with a sparkly tiara on her head – the 24-year-old gave more detail about the struggles she has faced this year and the steps taken by her worried family.

There was one incident at the Stratford Diamond League on Saturday July 18 meet where backstage she almost took a turn for the worse.

Hunt, who is based in the Italian city of Padua, said: “People probably don’t know but after the London Diamond League, I had to be taken off to the medical room.

“I was on the floor, on the verge of fainting. We had to do a lot of medical tests.

“I’ve had a lot of scary heart tests. A lot of stuff going on this year.

“I felt like we haven’t been able to touch anywhere near my potential in the 200s.

“We managed to figure out that it was low blood pressure.

“Another athlete of this champs, Nadia Battocletti, has spoken about having the same issue.

“I’m sponsored by a supplement brand, so it means I can have a lot of super salty electrolytes to raise my blood pressure.

“We’ve been doing a lot of work with cold towels and stuff. Just making sure that I’m moving around in-between reps and not just standing still.

“I have to take my blood pressure kind of every day at training like an old lady.

“What caused it? They have no idea.

“But my sister’s a nurse, and she said if you had that blood pressure on the ward, I’d be really worried about you. I’d be kind of pressing the bell.

“Luckily, I have such an incredible coaching staff and family that take care of me.

“My mum and my sister are flying back and forth from Italy, and going back and forth from London, taking care of me. So it’s been such a big family effort.

“It’s definitely not been the most straightforward journey. That’s what makes it the most rewarding.”

Hunt was so full of adrenaline that she could not sleep until 5am on Friday morning.

She now has the chance of winning a record four gold medals at the same Euros – two down, two to go, with the women’s 4×100 metres relay and mixed sprint relay to come this weekend.

Recovery involved wearing Hyperice boots, sleeping in compression socks, downing cherry juice “to increase my antioxidants” and eating good food.

As she crossed the line in a time of 22.19 seconds, a triumph that was marked by fireworks exploding from the top of the Alexander Stadium, she roared into the camera: Are you not entertained?

It was a reference to that famous line in the Oscar-winning Gladiator film where Russell Crowe’s character Maximus slaughtered loads of Roman soldiers in a coliseum and asked if the mob were satisfied.

Asked why she said that, Hunt laughed and then said: “I’ve always likened the sprints to being a gladiator in the arena.

“I love the film Gladiator. My dad always quotes it to me.

“Before he races, he always says ‘Strength and Honour’. Definitely something that keeps with me. I love to put on a show. Bring the entertainment to the crowd.

“I just love being an entertainer. I love this sport and I love my job.

“Obviously, the fireworks were amazing. I didn’t expect that. That made me jump.

“It was so special to be able to celebrate in front of the crowd. Like I said, I love the movie Gladiator. So it kind of came out.”