ASHER-SMITH RULES OUT WORLD DOUBLE
DINA ASHER-SMITH will use her performance in the 100 metres at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday to decide which event to enter in August’s World Championships in Beijing. The 19-year-old won the 100m at the national trials earlier this month so is an automatic selection for the British team in that event. She would also probably be selected for the 200m by virtue of being Britain’s fastest woman over that distance, too, but she will not be doubling up in China. ‘I feel I can do one event and then save my body for next year, for the Rio Olympics and the World Championships in London,’ said Asher-Smith. ‘I’ll decide based on where I come in the race, what time I run and how I deal with the environment under that pressure.’ Asher-Smith’s rise to the top of the British rankings — she is the fastest over 100m and second only to Kathy Cook over 200m — has been meteoric considering she carried kit for competitors at London 2012. Now the Bromley teenager is taking on some of the world’s fastest women. ‘It will feel odd people knowing who I am and cheering because while I’m not shy I’m not comfortable in front of crowds,’ she said. ‘I remember watching Adam Gemili at the Olympics and when his face popped up on the screen the crowd went absolutely insane so I can’t wait for that.’ However well she runs on Saturday, Asher-Smith is likely to be disappointed. ‘I’m a perfectionist,’ said Asher-Smith, who was unhappy at running 22.41sec over 200m in Monaco last week. ‘It wasn’t a bad display but I just think I can do better. I’ve got a list of things to improve and get ready for London. ‘Maybe I can lower the British record.’