‘I don’t want kids to be like me – I want them to be better’

GREAT BRITAIN’S Dina AsherSmith wants to inspire the next generation of sportswomen after she made history in Doha.

The 23-year-old became the first British athlete to win three medals at a single World Championships after claiming silver in the 4x100m relay on Saturday.

She added to the 200m title and 100m silver she claimed at the Khalifa International Stadium last week.

The sprinter has been one of the stars of the championships in Doha as she plans for next year’s Olympics and is out to motivate others.

She said: “When kids say they want to be like me, I’m like ‘no you don’t, you want to be better than me’. It’s true. It’s a compliment but don’t aim to do what I do, aim to do better.

“I’m happy we [women] are getting positive things because it’s been like ‘what’s it like to be...?’ They are valid questions but it’s always with a negative slant and you’re like ‘we’re just doing our jobs’.

“We’re training just as hard and going out there and winning medals.

“From what I’ve seen it’s getting better but with the Olympics, Women’s World Cup in the past few years we’ve definitely seen a trend in [women] wanting to play sport and knowing about it in popular culture and magazines.”

Asher-Smith linked up with Asha Philip, Ashleigh Nelson and Daryll Neita to come second behind Jamaica in 41.85 seconds on Saturday.

Soon after, the men’s 4x100m relay squad also claimed silver, unable to defend the title won in London as the USA took gold.

But Great Britain captain Richard Kilty remains confident they can beat the Americans in Tokyo next year.

He said: “I think we’re going to get the gold medal. They are not unbeatable, I believe with the squad we have we’ll beat them next year. That has to be at the forefront of our minds.

“10 to 12 medals has got to be the target [for track and field], look at the people who have just missed out here, Nick Miller, Adam [Gemili] and Laura Muir.

“Call it ambitious but I think 12 medals is easily realistic next year.”

Meanwhile, IAAF president Lord Coe has hailed the sporting achievements at the 2019 World Championships in Doha as the best ever.

Speaking at the closing press conference yesterday, he said: “Our sport is in pretty good shape. It is pretty clear to us on athlete performance this is the best World Championships we have ever had.”