One small measure of how Dina Asher-Smith has catapulted into the mainstream came at her local Costa on Friday morning, when she was given a coffee on the house. “The lady was saying: ‘You come in here for six months and we chat about everything but you never mentioned you were an athlete!’” says Asher-Smith, smiling. “There has been so much interest since the European Championships, which is very humbling, especially from people who wouldn’t typically engage with the sport.”
The 22-year-old estimates she has given 45 media interviews since arriving back from Berlin on Monday with three gold medals around her neck. There have also been plenty of selfies with fans as well as “a lot of love on social media”, including from global stars such as the grime singer Stormzy. But something else has twigged too. An understanding that she has begun to transcend her sport. “Lots of people have been referring to me as a role model which I still find very odd. But at the same time I am rolling with it, because I do have a social responsibility to make sure young people have a positive person to look up to.”
Written by Sean Ingle
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/aug/17/dina-asher-smith-role-model-european-championships-wins under the title “Dina Asher-Smith discovers role-model status and targets bigger tests”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
