Asher-Smith back on track as part of relay quartet

Athletics 05 Aug 21

Dina Asher-Smith turned up the heat as Tokyo sweltered on the warmest day of the Olympics so far.

After pulling out of the 200m as she nursed the recovery from a hamstring injury, Asher-Smith helped her team-mates produce a storming British record to make the 4x100m final.

The world champion joined forces with Asha Philip, Imani-Lara Lansiquot and Daryll Neita as they powered to a 41.55 second national best, well ahead of key rivals Jamaica and the USA.

"After the 100m, there was no way I wasn't going to be here with these girls," said Asher-Smith.

"I had one day off and then I was back on the training, I just need a few more weeks, a few more sessions training. 

"It's been a crazy five weeks. It would be amazing to end it with a medal but that's not where my head is at, it's about staying focussed.

"We're the bronze medallists from Rio and for all our lives and dreams it would be amazing to get another medal but we need to execute and do what needs to be done."

Philip, who was part of the medal quartet five years ago with Asher-Smith and 100m finalist Neita, is also upbeat, and despite carving nearly two tenths off their time in Rio, there looked to be more to come as they pushed changeovers to the limit.

"I know a medal is on the cards, I don't want to jinx anything but that's a national record," said Philip.

"It was a good race around and a very nice warm-up for us. We're not getting too excited but we're bringing great energy into the final."

Redemption was also the word for Zharnel Hughes, still smarting from his false start in the men's 100m final, when a medal looked a distinct possibility.

Hughes, Chijindu Ujah, Richard Kilty and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake qualified comfortably for the men's sprint relay final with Jamaica again looking the team to beat.

"What happened, it’s still difficult for me but at the end of the day I have to move on, I have relay now and that’s what I’m focussing on," said Hughes.

"For me I’m just going out there to stay focussed, hitting the check mark and give my very best on the back straight and hopefully put the guys in the lead. We’re in the finals and I’ll be rolling in the finals."

Elsewhere, Morgan Lake qualified to the women's high jump but she won't be joined by team-mate Emily Borthwick.

And Andrew Pozzi came seventh in the men's 110m hurdles final, won by Jamaica's Hansle Parchment.

"Unfortunately I didn’t quite have the race that I wanted," he said. 

"I’ve worked really hard in order to be here and try to be in my best shape, but that’s all I had.

"I arrived in a good place. There’s no excuses unfortunately. I just didn’t have enough and that’s just the way it is."

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