Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith used all her championship experience to return to the top of the podium tonight (9) at the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships as she earned 100m gold in 10.99, regaining a title she first won in Berlin six years ago, having set a 2024 European list of 10.96 in the semifinals.
Silver went to Poland’s former European indoor champion Ewa Swoboda by a margin of 0.004 as she and Italy’s Zaynab Dosso were clocked at 11.03.
Despite getting off to a relatively poor start as the field got away at the second time of asking - a circumstance that appeared worse because of the flyer achieved by the French runner to her left - Asher-Smith remained composed and disciplined to move through and finish to telling effect.
Since she won the world 200m title in 2019 her upward progress has stalled through a succession of injuries, and she has struggled to regain her former dazzling form. But in Olympic year this was the ideal statement of intent.
Having won 100m, 200m and 4x100m gold in Berlin, Asher-Smith was left frustrated at Munich 2022 when she had to relinquish all three titles. But after parting ways with her long-time coach John Blackie to train with Edrick Floreal in Austin, Texas she has recently spoken of her renewed ambition.
Speaking to European Athletics earlier this year, she said: “I am really excited for these Europeans, I have big goals for myself, very big aspirations of what I want to run, especially when I run the 100m and how I want to run and how I want to win it.”
Tick that box. Onwards to Paris.
Afterwards she acknowledged that she had won despite her start. “I am in really great shape, I feel really good. I knew I had this in me. I had a bad start - championships! I can definitely run faster than that.
“This is a progression towards the Olympic Games. I am glad to be in this shape after some months of a new set-up, it is really hard to achieve. I moved to Austin, Texas. I have been really working on my top end speed and I could compensate for the bad start. I did, that was a bit hairy, just a little bit. But overall I am happy.”
“In Munich, in 2022, I also was in great shape but it just did not happen. I am very happy to have done that today, in a new race style!”
Fourth place, in 11.04, went to Luxembourg’s Patrizia Van Der Weken, who had set a national record of 11.00 in the semi-finals. Dosso, too, had reduced her national record from 11.03 to 11.02.
One-lap talents Dobson and Adeleke qualify fastest for 400m finals
Britain’s Charles Dobson looked hugely composed as he qualified for tomorrow night’s men’s 400m final in 44.65, the fastest semi-final time recorded at a European Athletics Championship.
Belgium’s world indoor champion Alexander Doom looked as if he was having to work a bit harder as he held off the Dutch challenge of Liemarvin Bonevacia to win his heat in 44.87.
Home runner Luca Sito, 21, got the home spectators fully engaged as he won his semifinal in another Italian record of 44.75, his first sub-45 second clocking.
Rhasidat Adeleke, who helped Ireland earn a famous victory in the inaugural 4x400m mixed relay on Friday evening, moved through to tomorrow’s women’s 400m final in impressive fashion in the fastest time of the night, 50.54, 0.03 faster than Lieke Klaver of the Netherlands.
Adeleke’s teammate on Friday, last-leg runner Sharlene Mawdsley, was fifth fastest in 50.99, one place behind Great Britain’s Laviai Nielsen, who clocked a personal best of 50.73.
Last year’s world silver medallist Natalia Kaczmarek progressed as she won her semifinal in 50.70.
With thunder rumbling around the stadium home runner Filippo Tortu, who brought the baton home in Italy’s 4x100m victory at the Tokyo 2020 Games, produced the fastest qualifying time for tomorrow night’s men’s 200m, clocking 20.14.
France’s Pablo Mateo was second fastest after moving past early home leader Eseosa Desalu in their semifinal to record 20.34, eyeballing his Italian rival on the run-in.
Mike Rowbottom for European Athletics