Dina Asher-Smith targets British record to beat world-class field in London

The triple European champion runs in Sunday’s Diamond League 100m
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Sprint sensation Dina Asher-Smith believes she may have to break her own British record to triumph at this weekend’s Anniversary Games.

The triple European champion runs in Sunday’s Diamond League 100m at the London Stadium, as she continues her road towards the World Championships in Doha, this autumn.

She faces a world-class field that includes joint-world leader Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and double world silver medallist Marie-Josie Ta Lou.

Currently ranked fourth in the world, Asher-Smith has already dipped below 11 seconds in each of her 100m starts so far this season, but when asked whether she may have to get close to the 10.85 she set to win European gold in Berlin last year, she said: “Definitely.

“Every field that I’ve come into this year has been like a world or Olympic final. I feel like we’re in a great position in the women’s’ sprints right now.

“Whenever you step on the line you know that you have to bring your best. You have to run really fast to win this Diamond League, as you would all the other ones as well.”

Asher-Smith has become one of Britain’s most recognisable sportswomen, after a stellar 2018 which saw her end the year as the fastest woman in the world over both 100m and 200m.

An outspoken advocate of women’s sport, the 23-year-old believes she can follow in the footsteps of England’s footballers and netball stars in inspiring young fans as she targets success on the global stage later this year.

“It’s something that I’d hope would happen every single year, but it has been a fantastic summer so far for women’s sport,” she said.

“It’s not done – obviously we’ve got the world championships to come in October, and hopefully there’ll be tons of women across the world wanting to do fantastically in that.

“With the netball World Cup right now, and the women’s football World Cup and I just hope that people are really inspired. It’s always really nice to be inspiring young people, boys and girls, and I just hope I can do them proud and they enjoy watching this weekend.”

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