London Anniversary Games: Dina Asher‑Smith juggling degree with Rio 2016 preparation

Major breakthrough: Dina Asher-Smith
John Thys/AFP/Getty Images

It seems fitting that Rio 2016 athlete Dina Asher‑Smith should be discussing Europe having just been crowned queen of the continent by winning the 200metres title in Amsterdam.

It was the first major title for a 20-year-old who admits Europe shapes her both on and off the track.

The King’s College London student is fascinated with how modern history is reshaping itself in Britain.

“Whatever your view, it’s a really interesting time right now,” she says of the aftermath of Brexit. “It’s so interesting to see what’s happening and may happen in Europe.” The last of her 30,000 words of the academic year were handed in, the exams completed and the reading done just before the European championship at the end of last month.

One of the more learned members of the British team in Rio, her thirst for knowledge shows no signs of being quenched.

Of her academia, she says: “It was a tough year but I think the second year is the same for everyone.”

None of her peers has been doubling up a degree with being Britain’s greatest female sprinter — she holds the national record for the 60m, 100m and 200m, all of which were achieved during a remarkable 2015.

However, 2016 could even top that annus mirabilis. First is the Anniversary Games tomorrow, another stop on what she calls “a whirlwind” from her first time inside the stadium as one of the many volunteers carrying kit for athletes on Super Saturday at London 2012.

“I genuinely wouldn’t trade a second of the past four years,” she adds. “It’s been surreal really.”

But despite the string of strong results, she does not seem to realise quite how good she is. “If you’d said to me beforehand that last year I would have run 22.07 sec in the final of the 200m in Beijing I would have laughed at you,” she says before breaking into a giggle.

Team GB athletes pose in their Rio 2016 kit

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“So talking about Rio ambitions is difficult. First, I just want to get to Rio in one piece. I won’t allow myself to have that ‘oh my God I’m Olympian’ moment until I actually step on the plane there.

“As an athlete you want to PB at the major championships of any year and whether that gets me to the semi-final or final I don’t know.” Surely, a medal is at least possible. “A medal? I don’t really think like that.”

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