Dina Asher-Smith arrives back in Britain today for a scan which will decide her Commonwealth Games fate.
The poster girl of Birmingham 2022 pulled up injured at the World Championships when breaking down on the third leg of the women’s sprint relay.
She yelped in discomfort, Britain's medal chance disappeared and, with only nine days until the 100 metres heats begin at Alexander Stadium, now faces a race against time.
“I hope it’s nothing serious because I have got a lot more races to do this year,” said the 26-year old, who won a bronze medal in the 200 metres on Thursday.
“I was literally like ‘what is happening’? I’m stunned, a bit shocked. I felt good, we were running well. If I’d felt anything in the warm-up I’d never have run.”
Asher-Smith is entered for the 100m and the 4 x 100m relay in Birmingham. She was never down for the 200, the distance at which she ruled the world in 2019.
This setback comes a year after her Olympic chances in Tokyo were ruined by a torn hamstring, though ironically she was able to return and win a relay medal.
The British quartet were on for a repeat at Hayward Field when Asha Philip and Imani Lansiquot got the baton to the nation’s fastest woman in third place.
Asher-Smith set off at breakneck speed but 70 metres in pulled up sharply with what appeared to be a hamstring issue in her left leg.
“Our immediate thought collectively was ‘is Dina OK?’” said Lansiquot. “The priority is making sure she’s good. We’re a team.”
Asher-Smith dramatically slowed but her momentum got her to Daryll Neita who produced a stunning leg to go from last to sixth with the fastest split of the entire race.
“It wasn’t nice to see Dina’s face,” said the British 100m champion. “She obviously wasn’t very comfortable and in my head I was like ‘please just stop’ but she kept going.
“She is a fighter and it is incredible to have her as part of the team.”
The United States took gold in 41.14secs, beating a Jamaica team boasting Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson, world champions over 100 and 200m, into second place.
“These things happen, you win some you lose some,” said a philosophical Philip. “We are still going to walk off with our heads held high.
“We are one team, it is us against the world. We have more competitions this year, we are just warming up.”
