Dina Asher-Smith gives Commonwealth Games boost with race announcement

‘I love performing in front of a home crowd,’ said Dina Asher-Smith with regard to the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, which starts in July. Photograph: Marco Mantovani/Getty

Dina Asher-Smith has handed the Commonwealth Games a major boost by confirming she will race the 100m or 200m as well as the 4x100m relay this summer – a decision that sets up a potential mouthwatering showdown against the Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah.

With the world 100m champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, double Olympic 400m champion, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, and Tokyo 100m bronze medallist, Shericka Jackson, also expected to travel to Birmingham, one excited Commonwealth Games insider told the Guardian that the “race of the championships” was on the cards.