The 2019 world 200m champion and multiple major global medallist received the accolade from King Charles at Windsor Castle
Dina Asher-Smith has emphasised the “power of hard work” and stated that “it means a lot to be recognised by your country” after collecting her MBE from King Charles.
The Brit flew back from her training base in Texas for the investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle and then held a celebration dinner in London later in the day (March 25).
Asher-Smith, who became a six-time European champion and helped Great Britain secure Olympic silver in the women’s 4x100m last summer, was awarded the MBE for services to athletics.
Dina Asher-Smith (Getty)
“For me, it is a very powerful emblem of what you do on the track, being inspiring to other people and also having repercussions and a positive influence far beyond the world of sport,” she said.
“It is about the power of hard work and it is nice to be celebrated for your great work. He (King Charles) was very much amazed that I flew over from Texas to get this but I said ‘Of course, you invited me so I wasn’t going to miss this and this is such an honour’.
“When I started running, I just wanted to run faster. I did not imagine it would take me here. I didn’t imagine it would take me to the Olympic Games or get me records or anything like that.
“It means a lot to be recognised by your country in this way. It is a great setting, a stunning castle and the King is really funny and really charming, so it has been a great day.”
GB 4x100m take silver (Getty)
Asher-Smith will now fly back to Texas as she opens up her outdoor season with a 4x400m relay in Austin on Sunday (March 30), before she travels to Jamaica for the inaugural Grand Slam Track in Kingston (April 4-6).
The 29-year-old is down to be a Challenger in the long sprints category [200m/400m] and will go up against the likes of Marileidy Paulino, Alexis Holmes, Nickisha Pryce, Salwa Eid Naser and Gabby Thomas over both half and a full lap at Independence Park.
Asher-Smith, now under the guidance of Edrick Floréal in the US, split from long-time coach John Blackie nine months before the Paris Olympics.
Blackie coached Asher-Smith from the age of eight and helped her secure three world individual sprint medals – including 200m gold in Doha – as well as British records in the 60m (7.03), 100m (10.83) and 200m (21.88).
Dina Asher-Smith-and John Blackie (Getty)
After receiving her MBE, Asher-Smith paid tribute to Blackie and stated that she was “excited to celebrate my MBE with him”.
“My previous coach could not do the travel any more,” she said. “He is in a wheelchair right now so when it came to the Paris [2024 Olympic] year, the travel was quite challenging and that was something we both had a serious conversation about. As a person, I absolutely love him. He was my coach for 19 years.”
Asher-Smith’s aim is to compete in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m and the Tokyo World Championships in September and feels that she’s in a great place right now, especially that athletes can build themselves into what is a longer season.
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