THE WORLD IS AT DINA’S FEET
DINA ASHER-SMITH has the potential to become Britain’s first female world sprint champion next year, says Paula Radcliffe.
Four months on from winning three gold medals at the European Championships, Asher-Smith is shortlisted for female athlete of the year at today’s global awards.
The Kent star, whose 23rd birthday coincides with the glittering ceremony, is not in Monaco. But she will be in Doha in September for the World Championships.
Marathon legend Radcliffe (above) said: “There’s definitely room for Dina to grow and to build on where she was this year, which absolutely should put her in contention for the gold. Everyone has that purple patch in their career where it feels just a little bit easier, where you have just a little bit more conviction that it’s going to go your way.
“Dina is definitely in that ‘best’ period – and yet to peak.”
Asher-Smith bagged her historic golden treble in Berlin in world leading times. But the step up to world level is huge.
Linford Christie, in 1993, is the only British sprinter to manage it.
James Dasaolu, the joint second-fastest British 100m sprinter ever, will have careersaving surgery on his ruptured Achilles after crowdfunding raised the £9,000 required.
■ PAULA RADCLIFFE was a judge at the recent Catherine Awards, supported by Variety, the Children’s Charity.