Sprinter Amy Hunt Chooses Mentoring Mission Over Glamorous Invitations
British sprinting star Amy Hunt has revealed she regularly turns down high-profile invitations to celebrity events, including film premieres and fashion weeks, in order to dedicate time to mentoring young athletes aspiring to study at Oxford or Cambridge universities. The 23-year-old, who secured a silver medal in the women's 200 metres at last year's World Championships in Tokyo, believes her dual role as an elite athlete and Cambridge graduate gives her unique insights to help others navigate the challenging path.
Balancing Elite Sport with Academic Excellence
Hunt, who famously described herself as an "academic badass and track goddess" after her world championship success, emphasises the difficulties of combining top-level sport with the rigorous demands of one of the world's most selective universities. She argues that this rare balance is worth pursuing, as it offers long-term benefits beyond athletic careers alone.
"I'm a big proponent of getting more people through that, because I think we lose a lot of athletes every single year to the States, and I don't think it's necessarily the best decision for everyone's long-term athletic careers," Hunt explained. "I know my decision felt very limited when I was doing the same thing."
Demystifying the Oxbridge Application Process
The sprinter receives daily messages from teenage athletes and their families seeking advice on the often opaque Oxbridge application system. Hunt makes a concerted effort to respond, offering practical tips based on her own experiences. These range from logistical considerations, such as factoring in parking availability when selecting a college, to strategic advice for interviews.
"The world of Oxbridge loves to be so shrouded in mystery, right?" Hunt noted. "It's self-serving, because it keeps that sense of being cloistered away and it protects itself, but us talking about it opens it up a lot more and enables more women and girls from an athletic background to be able to get there."
She recalls redirecting her own Cambridge interview from athletics back to Shakespeare, a tactic she shares with mentees. Hunt expressed interest in establishing a more formal, long-term mentoring scheme, similar to initiatives like Stormzy's Merky scholarships, to provide structured support.
Maintaining Focus on Racing and Achievements
Despite her growing fame, Hunt remains intensely focused on her athletic career. This week, she is set to challenge fellow Briton Dina Asher-Smith for the world 60 metres indoor title in Poland. She admits to occasionally indulging in rare luxuries, such as a Gucci bag or Tiffany bracelet, but stresses that medals and titles are her primary motivation.
"I cannot overstate how much I love to stand on that start-line. It's my favourite thing in the world," Hunt declared. "I would do it without even getting paid. I said to my agents, I don't really care about appearance fees or whatnot, I just want to be in these races. Just let me race."
Hunt has enjoyed some unique opportunities off the track, including a behind-the-scenes visit to the McLaren Formula One team, where she tested a simulator without crashing, though she missed meeting drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. She also stayed in a luxury St Lucia hotel suite once occupied by singer Amy Winehouse.
Ultimately, Hunt's commitment to mentoring reflects her belief in empowering the next generation of student-athletes, ensuring they have the guidance to succeed both on the track and in the classroom.
