Dina Asher-Smith, the fastest female sprinter in Britain, is determined to win gold at the Paris Olympics. Despite a disappointing performance at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest last summer, Asher-Smith has made significant changes, including parting ways with her long-term coach John Blackie and working with coach Edrick Floreal in Austin, Texas. Speaking to Runner’s World UK, she admits that she had niggles during the championships but has since made big changes and is “definitely seeing benefits” from changes to her training over the past year.
Asher-Smith has already set a British indoor record over 300m this year, beating Nicole Yeargin’s time, and won a 200m gold medal at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational. She expresses excitement for the 2024 season and credits her change of environment in Austin, the talent of her training group, and the facilities for her success.
Turning her attention toward the Olympics, Asher-Smith has tunnel vision and wants to win gold and run really fast. She says that every athlete wants to be the best in the world and is working towards those big moments. While she took home bronze medals in the women’s 4x100m relay at both the Rio and Tokyo Games, she hopes that the women’s team will take home gold in Paris.
Asher-Smith has made significant changes to her training and coaching team, which may have an impact on her performance. She has also faced some setbacks, finishing 8th in the 100m and 7th in the 200m at the 2023 World Championships. However, her determination and focus on winning gold at the Olympics show her commitment to her sport and her goals. Off the track, Asher-Smith also has a passion for fashion.
