Dina Asher-Smith refuses to believe Florence Griffith Joyner’s 34-year old 100 metres world record is untouchable.
On the eve of her first race of the year in the UK, at today’s Birmingham Diamond League, Britain's fastest ever woman insisted “nothing is impossible”.
Griffith Joyner’s record of 10.49 seconds has stood alone since 1988 but Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah clocked 10.54 last summer.
And when asked if it could go, world 200m champion Asher-Smith said: "I think so, definitely given the advantages of technology and the increase of track technology.
“We shouldn’t put limits on ourselves. when you stop thinking about limits and focus on the processes who knows what can be achieved? Everything seems impossible until it's done.”
The 26-year old, with a 100m best of 10.83secs, did not rule out that she could be the one to do it - whilst insisting medals are her priority in a year in which she defends five titles across three championships.
“If I said ‘no’, what would you say?” she replied. “Crazier things have been done and nothing is impossible.
“Records are lovely but that isn’t ever my priority coming into a championships. It’s to be successful at them.”
Asher-Smith plans to go from World Championships to Commonwealth Games to European Championships.
She is on a mission to make up for last year when a cruelly-timed hamstring injury sabotaged her Tokyo Olympic dream.
Although Thompson-Herah has withdrawn from their much-anticipated 100m showdown today, Asher-Smith has arrived in buoyant mood.
"I am confident in the work I have done," she said. "I am confident in how much of a different person and athlete I am since 2019. It is light years away.
"When I peak in championship time it will be amazing to lay down some really good times."
