Highs and lows: Dina Asher-Smith is looking ahead to the Paris Olympics after a mixed and eventful summer
(Picture: Getty Images)Dina Asher-Smith set her sights on the 2024 Paris Olympics after her mixed summer ended in disappointment in the 4x100m at the European Athletics Championships.
Great Britain’s women’s team were favourites to win gold in Munich but dropped their baton in the handover between Asha Philip and Imani Lansiquot before it reached Asher-Smith.
The disappointment came after Great Britain’s men’s 4x100m team ran a championship record 37.67seconds to win gold.
“Highs and lows,” said Asher-Smith, who has not struck gold once this summer.
Her highs included equalling her best 100m time and a bronze medal in the 200m at the World Championships. But she finished last in the 100m at the European Championships after pulling up with cramp and a silver in the 200m was a disappointment.
“It’s been an interesting championships for me,” said Asher-Smith. “As I was saying to these ladies, we’re so strong. I feel like it’s one of those things where behind the scenes this year, we’ve worked so hard, we’ve improved so much, and nothing is ever going to change that.
“If that means our time comes in Paris, then so be it. But we definitely know what we’re capable of. We’re a team, and you’ve seen us here, so much dancing and singing. This is an anomaly.”
Great Britain won 60 medals at the European Championships, as they finished second in the medal table behind host nation Germany. Britain won 20 athletics medals in total, more than any other nation.
A further 27 medals were won at the European Aquatics Championships in Rome, where GB ended the competition second to hosts Italy.
