DINA ASHER-SMITH TO LEAD ATHLETICS TEAM INTO TOKYO 2020 AS CAPTAIN

Reigning world 200m champion Dina Asher-Smith (John Blackie, Blackheath and Bromley) has been confirmed as the Team GB athletics team captain for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
In a selection made by Head Coach Christian Malcolm, Asher-Smith will lead the team and inspired the group with the traditional Team Captain’s speech given at the final team meeting this weekend.

Asher-Smith – who won her first senior medal at the World Championships in Moscow in 2013 – is lining up a tough schedule of competition, competing in 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. But Head Coach Christian Malcolm believes she will lead by example when competition starts on Friday 30 July.

He said: “I was delighted that Dina accepted the role of athletics team captain for the Olympic Games. I don’t think there is a better candidate across the team in terms of experience but also in terms of what she brings to the role.

“Her professionalism, focus and methodical preparation are all perfect examples, and I am really pleased she is going to lead the team onto our biggest competition stage next week.”

Asher Smith said:
“I’ve been fortunate enough to be on senior teams at champs for eight years now – My first championships was 2013 and I was brought in the year Christine Ohuruogu made her fantastic speech as team captain which set the bar so high.

“I’ve told the team to be proud of themselves, deep down proud of themselves and also to know that the future is not written. They’re probably the most mentally strong, resilient and resourceful group of athletes to be selected for the Games, they’ve turned over every stone throughout the pandemic and the lockdowns to be here.

“Somehow, we’ve all made it here, and now we are here. The future is unwritten and anything can happen in sport, and when they stand on the line the lane is free. It doesn’t matter who is in their race or their qualifying pool. It is up to us to take the moment, the time is right and we can truly do ourselves proud.”