Dina’s withdrawal is blow for organisers

DINA ASHER-SMITH has abandoned plans to compete at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham because of injury. In a huge blow for Team England, and perhaps more so for a Games lacking in domestic star quality, the 26-year-old sprinter has withdrawn as a consequence of hamstring damage picked up during the 4x100m relay at the World Championships in Eugene last Saturday. A scan on her return to London on Monday has since revealed a strain in her left leg rather than a tear, but it is sufficiently problematic for the world 200m bronze medallist to withdraw from the 100m and relay in Birmingham, where the Games open today. Asher-Smith, who tore hamstrings in her other leg prior to last summer’s Tokyo Olympics, said: ‘Unfortunately, I’ve got a slight hamstring strain and I won’t be ready to race next week at the Commonwealth Games. ‘I love racing in front of a British crowd and I was so excited to return to Birmingham, so I’m sad that I won’t be there.’ Kelly Sotherton, Team England’s athletics lead, said: ‘It’s obviously really sad to lose Dina through injury, given her stature and standing as one of the best female athletes in the world. ‘We know just how much she was looking forward to being part of Team England at a home Games in Birmingham.’ Asher-Smith’s absence adds to a list of major home names including diver Tom Daley, gymnast Max Whitlock and triathlete Jonny Brownlee who will not be present at the Games. Birmingham bosses had also been sweating on the potential loss of Adam Peaty after the multiple Olympic champion injured a foot, but the swimmer has since declared himself fit to compete for England.