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Alpha female of British athletics Dina Asher-Smith finally opened up on the motivation behind her split with long-term coach John Blackie.
When news broke out in October 2023 that Dina Asher-Smith had split from her long-term coach John Blackie and will now be under the guidance of Flo Knows – Edrick Floréal in Texas, it came with mixed reactions from the British media and track enthusiasts.
Asher-Smith's relationship with coach Blackie began when she was nine years old and has endured ever since - through national age group titles, world junior titles, European titles, and a first world title in Doha. Just one accolade awaits - an individual Olympic medal.
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So learning that the nineteen-year relationship had ended just nine months before the start of the Paris Olympic Games, and she would start a new life in the US with a new world-class coach and training group, didn't come as the best decision to many.
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02:16 - 04.04.2024
'Different year, Different approach' - Sha'Carri Richardson postpones season's debut at Miramar Invitational
World's fastest woman Sha'Carri Richardson revealed she will no longer make her season's debut at the Miramar Invitational and has given her reasons for the development.
Now, just five months after her sudden move to team up with Coach Flo Knows at the University of Texas, the multiple British record holder has shown brilliant early season performances justifiable for her switch.
At the recently concluded Texas Relays, the 28-year-old was part of a star-studded 4x200m relay squad that included Rhasidat Adeleke, Lanae Tava-Thomas, and Julien Alfred that set a new world best of 1:27.05, bettering the official World Record of 1:27.46 held by the USA since 2000. However, their time did not stand as a new WR since the athletes represent different countries.
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Shortly after the 4x200m race, Asher-Smith was the highlight performer in the 4x400m, where she made a big difference as she anchored her team to victory.
The multiple world championships medallist outran the more established quarter-miler Britton Wilson of Captain Athletics team in the last 100m for the famous win, proving the improvement in her speed endurance and growth under her new coach.
Her electrifying performance moved four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson as he confirmed her growth on his X page.
"Dina’s move to train with Coach Flo and a great group of training partners in Texas looking like a smart move! Strong 4x4 leg indicates improved speed endurance will help that 200 and could land her on the 4x4 relay in Paris," he wrote.
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13:32 - 02.04.2024
Michael Johnson highlights the positive growth Dina Asher-Smith is making under coach Flo Knows
Four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson believes British star athlete Dina Asher-Smith made a smart move by teaming up with Coach Flo in Texas.
And then in a post-race interview with Citius Mag, Asher-Smith finally opened up on the motivation behind her split with coach Blackie and her goals for the Olympic year.
"I knew coach Flo was amazing. He’s obviously got an amazing roster of Texas athletes both past and present. But for me, it was the Olympic year. It was what do I want my Olympic season to look like?," said the first British woman in history to become a track world champion.
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21:38 - 02.04.2024
Sha'Carri Richardson, Thompson-Herah, Shericka Jackson, and the top track stars set to kick off their season in April
Here are the top athletes set to make their individual outdoor debuts in April.
"My previous coach told me that he couldn't come to Paris, that it's just mobility stuff, which made me very sad," she continued.
"But when that was on the table, I was just like what do I want my Olympic year to look like and that's why I made the move to coach Flo. So it's all good vibes and I'm having a really fun time just trying to learn new things."
Asher-Smith training in the best athletics country in the world with the best facilities and one of the best training groups can surely spur her to accomplish her Olympic dreams in Paris.
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