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Dina Asher-Smith reflects on her deep bond with ex-coach John Blackie after moving to Austin for a fresh start.
Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith has expressed deep admiration for her former coach John Blackie who played a pivotal role in shaping her athletic career.
Asher-Smith, who has represented Great Britain in three Olympic Games and recently secured a silver medal in the women’s 4x100m relay at the 2024 Paris Games, trained under Blackie from the tender age of eight until last year.
Now based in Austin, Texas, Asher-Smith’s decision to relocate was driven by the need for a change in her training environment.
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15:13 - 09.10.2024
'I made a mistake'- Dina Asher-Smith reveals what led to her poor performance at Paris Olympic Games
Dina Asher-Smith reflected on her disappointing Paris Olympics performance, attributing it to mistakes, and learning from the experience, but rebounded with strong results in the Diamond League and now focuses on the 2025 World Championships.
After Blackie’s unavailability for the Paris Games, the 28-year-old sprinter began training under Edrick Floreal, a move that she says has revitalized her passion for track and field.
Despite this change, Asher-Smith continues to regard Blackie as a mentor and father figure.
“There was absolutely nothing wrong with where I was in London – I absolutely love my previous coach, John, he’s like a second dad. It’s just that sometimes change is mentally good and stimulating. It’s brought a new perspective and it’s made everything really exciting again,” she said in an interview with The Independent.
Blackie, who guided Asher-Smith through her early career in London, witnessed her rise to international stardom.
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17:41 - 08.10.2024
Jamaican sprint legend Veronica Campbell-Brown agrees with Noah Lyles on the mentality athletes should possess
Campbell-Brown, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, has echoed Noah Lyles' sentiments on the mentality athletes who want to achieve their goals should have.
Under his guidance, she earned medals in multiple world championships, including becoming the world 200m champion in 2019.
The sprinter credits her former coach for laying the foundation of her successful career and helping her become the athlete she is today.
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09:50 - 09.10.2024
Veteran sprints coach explains why Ferdinand Omanyala struggles at major championships
Veteran sprints coach Stephen Mwaniki has shed light on what could be affecting Ferdinand Omanyala’s performances when he gets to World Championships and Olympics.
Asher-Smith, who recently returned to her hometown of London after spending a year training in Austin alongside Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred, reflected on the significance of the transition.
“I’m really excited by running in track and field right now, which I think I do owe to a shake-up in environment,” she shared.
However, the transition has not been without its challenges. Asher-Smith’s performance at the Paris Olympics was below her usual high standards, finishing fourth in the 200m final with a time of 22.22 seconds.
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16:33 - 03.10.2024
'I thought I was on top of the world' – Ferdinand Omanyala admits being humbled after missing out on medals
Africa's fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has opened up about recent setbacks, revealing how they have humbled him and reshaped his focus.
She also missed out on the 100m final, posting 11.10 seconds in the semifinal, falling short of the qualifying mark.
But rather than dwelling on the disappointment, Asher-Smith used it as motivation for her subsequent races.
“I made a mistake, and then I corrected it, and went and did really well in the last three Diamond Leagues,” she explained.
Her redemption came quickly, as she dominated the 100m event at the Lausanne Diamond League, clocking 10.88 seconds.
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16:32 - 03.10.2024
Faith Kipyegon reveals lucky American who bagged her running spikes from successful 2024 season
Multiple world and Olympics champion Faith Kipyegon has shared how she sought to motivate a young girl in the US by gifting her the running spikes from her impressive 2024 campaign.
She followed up with equally impressive performances in Zurich and Brussels, where she posted times of 10.89 and 10.92 seconds, respectively.
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