TEAM GB STAR DINA ASHER-SMITH CRASHES OUT OF WOMEN'S 100M AT PARIS OLYMPICS AFTER FINISHING FIFTH IN THE SEMI-FINALS

Dina Asher-Smith was dejected after she failed to qualify for women's 100m
Asher-Smith won't be involved following her fifth-place finish in semi-finals

Dina Asher-Smith admitted she was ‘incredibly shocked’ after once again failing to reach the Olympic 100 metres final.

Three years ago in Tokyo, the British record holder broke down in tears after going out at the semi-final stage, revealing she had torn her hamstring in the build-up to the Games.

But on Saturday night Asher-Smith offered no excuses after finishing fifth in her semi-final in 11.10sec, way down on her personal best of 10.83sec, which she set when she won a world silver medal in 2019.

‘I am incredibly shocked,’ said the 28-year-old. ‘The Olympics are once every four years so I am very disappointed.

‘I really expected to make that that final. I have been running great in training. I feel in great shape and I am in a great mental place. But it’s sport - you’ve got to get it done in the moment.’

Asher-Smith’s semi-final was by far the slowest of the three on Saturday night, with American Melissa Jefferson winning it in only 10.99sec.

Her poor run was especially disappointing as she had shown promise earlier this season, winning the European Championships in Rome in June, having relocated to train in America at the end of last year.

‘The race wasn’t even fast, it was a doable time,’ said Asher-Smith. ‘But whether it’s a mind-blowing time or it’s not, it’s frustrating full stop. I know I should have been able to produce right now.’

Asher-Smith will be back on the track this morning for the first round of the 200m, ahead of a possible final on Tuesday night.

Asked whether Saturday night’s setback made her more determined to perform in the event she won the world title in five years ago, she added: ‘100 per cent. It’s on to the 200m now and I am excited to attack it.’

2024-08-03T18:25:35Z dg43tfdfdgfd