British sprint sensation Dina Asher-Smith has reignited excitement ahead of the Paris 2025 Olympics following a triumphant return to her home city, London. After parting ways with renowned US coach Edrick Floreal, Asher-Smith delivered a record-breaking performance at the UK Championships, claiming gold in the 200m with a championship-record time of 22.14 seconds.
The win marked a symbolic homecoming for the 29-year-old, who had spent much of the past year training in the United States. She edged out rising star Amy Hunt in a tight race, with a reaction time of 0.149 seconds compared to Hunt’s 0.168, showcasing her finely tuned competitive instincts.
Asher-Smith had joined Floreal’s elite training group in 2023 after nearly two decades under the guidance of longtime coach John Blackie. While Floreal brought experience from coaching world-class athletes like Julien Alfred and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the new setup never quite seemed to click. Her return to London marks not just a physical relocation, but an emotional reconnection with familiar surroundings and support systems that shaped her into one of Britain’s finest athletes.
Her candid remarks after the race reflected both relief and joy. “I’m such a London girl,” she said, underlining how much her home environment means to her. With just weeks to go until the Olympics, she expressed optimism and excitement about the road ahead.
Despite the coaching transition, Asher-Smith’s 2025 season has been impressive. She finished second in the 200m at the London Diamond League and secured podium places in the 100m at major Diamond League meetings in Stockholm and Oslo. These results reaffirm her status as a global sprint contender heading into the biggest stage in Paris.
Beyond the track, Asher-Smith shared her gratitude online, thanking her team and fans for their continued support. Her post, laced with humility and humour including a joke about a bad hair day captured her grounded personality and the camaraderie within British athletics, as fellow stars chimed in with praise.
With her momentum building and confidence restored, Dina Asher-Smith’s London return might just be the turning point she needed. As the Olympic countdown accelerates, she looks ready to chase gold with renewed purpose.
