DARYLL NEITA is determined to be remembered as Britain’s fastest woman in history when she retires.
Leading track-and-field stars descend upon Budapest this week for the 19th edition of the World Athletics Championships, which start on Saturday.
Globally, this is a golden era of female sprinting, with Jamaica in particular dominating the two main disciplines.
Domestically, Dina Asher-Smith, 27, has led the way for a long time, establishing national records for the 100m (10.83sec) and 200m (21.88) back in 2019.
Neita, 26, is not far behind — 10.90 and 22.23 are her PBs — but at some point over the next 12 months, she believes she can be No 1.
Speaking to SunSport at a special National Lottery shoot, the Londoner said: “I’m going for all the records, I believe they’re there to be broken.
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“I don’t believe I’m anywhere near my potential yet.
“I want the records. I want to be in the history books. I just want to have my name there and be remembered forever.
“I feel that’s what sport is all about. We need to push the records. They can’t stay the same for a million years. They’re there to be broken.
“That’s so inspiring for all of us girls that don’t have that record. We want it. We want to be the best. That is how I want to be remembered.
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“But not just for running fast times and getting medals. Also for being an inspirational person.”
Neita was based in Florida until late 2021 but left for a new training group in the Italian city of Padua to avoid the disruption of the Rana Reider sexual misconduct saga.
Extensive periods of time are spent away from her mum, stepdad, brother and boyfriend — and her adorable Chihuahua, Melon.
Reaching the Olympics final in 2021 was the catalyst for her inner belief and confidence.
Though she missed out on the 100m world final in Eugene in 2022 by 0.01 SECONDS, she responded with bronze in the same event at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
At the start of every season, she writes her goals in her private diary — and 2023 is the “year of golden sparkles”.
The plan is to double up in the Hungarian capital as well as next year at the Paris 2024 Olympics but she would fancy having a go at the long jump one day.
Neita, who grew up in Greenwich, admitted: “I want medals this year. So I’m not playing games. It’s all or nothing for me.
“Nobody really wants to be away from home, family and friends.
“There are opportunities that I may miss out on, not being at home, but I’m in Italy because this is the place that’s going to help me get the work done.
“I’m just very locked-in. I know what I want.
“I believe I’m achieving things that I am meant to.
“I’m 26 now. I am not 19, 20, 21. I’m in my second cycle. It’s time to get it going.
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“I’ve improved but then so has the rest of the field. So I can’t take my foot off the gas.”
National Lottery players raise more than £30million a week for good causes, including vital funding into sport — from grassroots to elite. Find out how your numbers make amazing happen at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk #MakeAmazingHappen #ThanksToYou
Source: Athletics - thesun.co.uk
