Darren Campbell: Dina Asher-Smith had glint in her eye aged 12… I knew she was destined for medals

I HAVE to admit I felt emotional watching Dina Asher-Smith win the world 200m title on Wednesday night.

There may have even been a tear or two rolling down my face.

Darren Campbell and Dina Asher-Smith both for a photographer together in 2008Credit: Darren Campbell

I’ve known Dina since she was a kid and played a small part in her career.

In 2008 I co-founded the Team Superschools project — the plan was to visit 2,012 schools before the London 2012 Olympics.

We went to a school in Orpington and I met this aspiring runner, aged 12.

I remember having a photo with her and she held up my Olympic gold medal from the 4x100m relay at Athens 2004.

I asked if she fancied wearing it round her neck but her mum said: “No! The first one she’s going to wear is one she wins!”

I admired that mindset. I was the same. I was coached by Linford Christie, the Olympic and world champion sprinter.

And my attitude was that if I’m destined to win a medal the first one I see or hold is mine.
Even then, Dina had that twinkle in her eye. She was determined.

I always wanted to give back — to inspire the next generation — and part of that initiative was to raise funds for future athletes. Dina was the first grant we ever gave out. I cannot recall how much it was.

Dina Asher-Smith cried tears of joy after becoming world 200m championCredit: EPA

So to watch her, 11 years later, achieve greatness at world level gave me a feeling of pride.

Dina is an exceptional athlete. If she continues the way she is going she will become Britain’s greatest ever sprinter, male or female. Greater than Christie’s SEVEN world or Olympic medals.

People can talk about the sprinters missing from her 200m final.

But as we’re seeing with GB’s male sprinters, it’s difficult to win a medal.

Dina was in fantastic shape, breaking two national records (100m and 200m). Her decision not to do media between rounds was correct. I did the same in competition.

Talk as much as you want afterwards.

When I was on that start line, I only wanted my own thoughts.

Dina is also a kind-hearted person. We saw it in the champs when she went over to help a rival who had fallen. And when I was in hospital last year for a bleed in the brain, Dina was one of the first people to contact me.

I’d also messaged her during the 2018 Euros in Berlin — one conversation revolved around getting herself mentally right for the 200m rounds.

I told her I had learned to meditate, to clear my mind and focus on the next race. Not to think about the 100m.

You cannot run the race the night before. Control your emotions.

As for the stardom headed her way, she is ready, she is striving for it.

Nobody can write her off at next year’s Olympics.

Darren Campbell presents BBC Radio 5 Live’s coverage of the World Athletics Championships. Catch all the action at BBC Sport

Source: Athletics - thesun.co.uk