The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Asher-smith joins elite group after historic win
Sprinter claims world gold as Muir ignores Salazar controversy to reach 1,500m semi
Dina Asher-smith clinched a historic gold medal after powering to 200m victory at the World Championships last night – hours after Milnathort athlete Laura Muir chose not to get involved in the controversy surrounding banned coach Alberto Salazar.
The 23-year-old Asher-smith became the first British woman to win an individual world sprint title.
She clocked 21.88 seconds to set a new national record and is also just the seventh British woman to claim world gold.
Asher-smith said: “I know I was tired and woke up today knowing this was the last individual chance and this was the moment I did all my work for. This is what we knew we could achieve if the season went well and the tiredness just disappeared when I needed it to.
“It means so much. There’s so many British fans here and I know lots of Brits live in Doha but lots have travelled and for my mum to be here, my dad, John and his wife and my physios – it means so much.”
Asher-smith joins Fatima Whitbread, Liz Mccolgan, Sally Gunnell, Paula Radcliffe, Christine Ohuruogu and Jessica Ennis-hill in having won individual world gold for Great Britain.
Earlier, Dundee Hawkhill Harrier Laura Muir safely qualified for today’s 1,500m semi-final after her return from injury.
The 26-year-old was running her first competitive race since tearing a calf muscle at the Anniversary Games in London in July.
The Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan qualified fastest, with Hassan coached by Alberto Salazar.
The American was given a four-year ban on Tuesday by the United States Antidoping Agency after being found guilty of doping violations.
Salazar runs the Nike Oregon Project and was stripped of his accreditation so could not have any contact with his athletes but Muir chose to ignore the controversy.
“All I can do I focus on myself, that’s all I’m in control of. I love the sport for what it is, I love to run and compete,” she said.
“No matter what the circumstances I’m going to race. Whoever is there is up to other people. At this point all I can do is focus on myself, that’s all I’m in control of. I’m the only person I can speak for and vouch for.”
On her fitness Muir added: “It was a pretty good feeling, I was quite nervous before the race. I’m usually not for the heats but it’s just been so long and it’s so good to be out there, feel like myself and be like ‘oh, I can still run’.”
Sarah Mcdonald joined her in the final but there was disappointment for Tim Duckworth who pulled out of the decathlon after an injury in the warm up.
Reigning world indoor 60m champion Andy Pozzi failed to progress to the 110m hurdles final but Muir’s Dundee Hawkhill team-mate Eilish Mccolgan and Laura Weightman reached the 5,000m final.
● Fife AC stalwart Ron Morrison has been elected as President of scottish athletics for the second time–as Leslie Roy stands down after eight years of dedicated service.