Hyman backs Britain’s new golden girl Asher-smith to cope with fame and fortune

Dorothy Hyman believes Dina Asher-smith will take success in her stride after becoming the first British woman since Hyman herself in 1962 to win the European 100 metres title.

Asher-smith set a new British record of 10.85 seconds for the 100m as she won gold in Berlin at the European Championships on Tuesday.

For over 50 years, Hyman had the honour of being the last British woman to be champion in the event. She recalls finding sprinting easy because “you just went from A to B as quickly as you could!”

Now she says of 22-year-old Asher-smith: “She’s a sensible girl who will cope with the fame. She’s a bubbly personality who is good for the sport.”

At the age of 77, Barnsleybased Hyman remembers vividly the year she won gold.

And while Asher-smith, pictured, may be on track for fame and fortune, it was a different story after the 1962 European Championships in Belgrade for Hyman.

“My life wasn’t that different to how it was before the gold. It was nice coming home to Cudworth after doing well, although I always got a good reception,” said Hyman.

“This was a very special medal for me because my dad had passed away a few months before in May. He was always such a good support for me, and my family were so supportive after my dad passed away. They helped me carry on.”

The championships took place in September of that year. Hyman said: “Before he passed away, my dad told my mum, ‘Anybody who beats our Dorothy this year has to be very good’. He always believed in me.” Hyman admitted she would not fancy racing in the modern era because of how technical the sport has become and added that she “liked having another life outside of athletics. It was just working and training and I felt there must be something else”.

She retired at the age of 23 and wrote an autobiography called Sprint to Fame which earned her £150. It meant she could not compete on the international stage after deciding to come out of retirement, because the writing of her autobiography saw her classed as a professional, in an age when the sport was amateur. “It was harsh because I didn’t cheat but I don’t regret it. I had a good career,” she added.

Although no longer involved in athletics, Hyman still watches the major championships and wishes the British team all the best. She said: “It gives us all a lift when they’re doing well.”