After spending a transformative year in Austin, Texas, Dina Asher-Smith is back in London, ready to make up for lost time. The weeks following her rollercoaster experience at the Paris Olympics have given her plenty to think about. She faced some tough challenges, particularly in the women’s 100m, where she missed a spot in the final with a fifth-place finish in the semifinals. She narrowly missed winning a medal in the 200-meter race but ended up in place in the fourth round.

Despite facing challenges, along the way, Asher-Smith made a contribution to Team Great Britain’s victory in the women’s 4×100 meter relay, securing a medal in the process. In a conversation with the Independent, she looked back on her performance at the Olympics, admitting to her errors and emphasizing that perfection is unattainable for anyone. She also mentioned her coaching change from John Blackie to Edrick “Flo” Floreal, the coach of Julien Alfred, as a factor in her Olympic struggles. Despite the ups and downs, she’s optimistic and ready to learn from these experiences for a stronger comeback next season.

“I made a mistake, and then I corrected it, and went and did really well in the last three Diamond Leagues,” Dina Asher-Smith shared. She believes that success is often about the attitude and energy you bring to the starting line, and everyone has different emotional triggers that help them perform. Adjusting to a new coaching setup can be challenging, but she’s determined to work through it. “Nobody in this life, including athletes, is perfect. But all you can do when that happens is learn from it, avoid making the same mistake, and keep moving forward,” she added.

Dina Asher-Smith is targeting the 2025 World Championships to improve on her seventh-place finish in the 200m and eighth in the 100m at the 2023 World Championships. Moreover, she previously claimed bronze in the 200m and finished fourth in the 100m at the 2022 World Championships. Additionally, her training partner praised their coach for his support in helping her regain her elite status.

Julien Alfred credits Coach Edrick Floreal for her success

Julien Alfred, who currently holds the Olympic 100-meter title, has openly expressed the impact her coach Edrick Floreal had on her journey to success in 2024. She created a historic moment by securing Saint Lucia’s inaugural Olympic gold medal victory by triumphantly crossing the finish line first in the women’s 100-meter final ahead of the highly anticipated Sha’Carri Richardson. She didn’t just stop at that; she also won a medal in the 200 meters in the Diamond League 100-meter final in Brussels a few days afterward to establish herself as one of the premier sprinters globally.

But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Alfred. After a tough outing at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where she just missed out on the podium, she really had to regroup and show her resilience on her way to Olympic gold in Paris. Training with Floreal at the University of Texas since she left her home country at just 14 years old, she considers him her backbone.

“I have to give thanks to my coach. I think he is my spine and my rock,” Alfred told FloTrack before the Olympics, highlighting how he’s been there for her through thick and thin. Her impressive 10.72-second performance in the 100-meter final not only earned her the title of “fastest woman in the world” but also showcased her hard work and dedication. With a career that kicked off in her youth, including a win at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games and multiple NCAA titles, Alfred’s Olympic victories are just the beginning. At only 23, she’s on track for even more incredible achievements in the future!