Dina Asher-Smith Wins European 100m Gold

Dina Asher-Smith clinched gold in the 100m at the European Athletics Championships with British teammates Georgia Bell and Lizzie Bird also securing medals in Rome. Asher-Smith’s victory in 10.99 seconds marked her first major international win since claiming European 200m silver in 2022, outpacing Poland’s Ewa Swoboda (11.03secs) and Italy’s Zaynab Dosso. Bell secured silver in the women’s 1500m with a time of 4:05.33, earning her first major international medal behind Ireland’s Ciara Mageean. Bird replicated her European 3,000m steeplechase bronze medal-winning performance from two years ago, clocking 9:18.39 amidst thunder and lightning in Rome.

Great Britain ascended to third place in the medal table after securing two golds on Sunday. Dina Asher-Smith’s victory, her fifth European triumph followed a team gold in the women’s half marathon during the morning session on day three led by bronze medallist Calli Hauger-Thackery. Mageean clinched gold in the 1500m final, finishing strongly with a time of 4:04.66 seconds, securing Ireland’s second gold of the championships. Despite leading for much of the race, Britain’s Jemma Reekie finished fifth in 4:06.17 while teammate Katie Snowden placed ninth (4:06.83).

Bird temporarily claimed silver in the steeplechase after the disqualification of France’s Alice Finot but an appeal saw Finot reinstated leaving Bird with bronze. European redemption for Asher-Smith came after her struggles at the 2022 Munich Championships due to calf cramps, attributed to her menstrual cycle. Following a disappointing performance at the 2023 World Championships, Asher-Smith parted ways with long-time coach John Blackie, opting to train with Edrick Floreal in Austin, Texas. This victory serves as a promising step towards her goal of winning her first individual Olympic medal at Paris 2024.