BY AYODELE ODUMADE

Britain’s fastest woman, Dina Asher-Smith is looking forward to competing at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games, in London this weekend.  Speaking to the media at a London Hotel she said: ”The thing I’m most excited about for the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games is the home crowd, quite a few of my friends are coming – not because I’m racing – they had booked tickets long before I had confirmed I was racing! The crowd genuinely care. I remember watching Adam (Gemili) at the Olympics and when his face popped up on the screen the crowd went absolutely insane. When people cheer when your name is called out, it’s really heart-warming. When you have the crowd behind you, you want to do them proud.”

Dina, 19 who was still racing against juniors last year and will be competing against a world-class field in the 100 metres on Saturday afternoon said: “It is definitely different. If you are racing against these girls who have amazing personal bests, you have to execute your race well.” 

Although Dina has qualified to run both short sprints at the Beijing World Championships next month she said: “I am not decided yet on what I am going to do in Beijing. I can do one of them and save my body for next year in Rio. 100metres is nice and short. You do not really get out of breath!  My ultimate aim is to become an Olympian”

She also paid tribute to her training group. “I would not be anywhere without my group.”  Commenting on her recent race in the 200 metres at the Diamond league in Monaco where she came fourth she said: “It was not a bad race. It was not as good as I would like to perform. I am happy that that happened now though.”

Away from the track and her education, the young speedster still has time for other things.  “ I do watch lot of TV and go out with my friends for a meal because as you know sprinting is very intense and I am here, there and everywhere.”