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Bronze for student Dina Asher-Smith in debut Olympic Games

History student Dina Asher-Smith has won a bronze medal after Great Britain finished third in the women’s 4x100m relay at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. 

Image of King's student Dina Asher-Smith and relay team mates on the podium at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games

Great Britain sprinter and history student Dina Asher-Smith (second left), along with team mates Daryll Neita, Desiree Henry and Asha Philip celebrate Bronze in the women's 4x100m relay.

Competing in her first Olympic Games, the twenty-year old Great Britain sprinter alongside teammates Desiree Henry, Daryll Nieta and Asha Philip set a new British record of 41.77s as they finished on the podium behind the USA and Jamaica.

The bronze was Great Britain’s first medal in the event since Los Angeles Olympics of 1984.

Having set a world leading relay time of 41.81s in London during the Anniversary Games last month, the British quartet – whose average age is just 21 - had arrived in Rio with the belief in being able to contend for a podium position.

For Dina Asher-Smith, the newly crowned European 200m champion, there was also a strong ambition in the individual sprinting events.

Earlier in the week Dina had qualified for the final of the women’s 200m, finishing fifth behind winner Elaine Thompson of Jamaica.

Last year Dina finished fifth in the same event at the Athletics World Championships in Beijing.

Performance Athlete Dina Asher-Smith wins the 100m final at the 2015 British Championships

Dina Asher-Smith, pictured during the 2015 British Championships. Credit Adrian Royle.

Admitting to being both happy whilst also hoping for more following the conclusion of her first Olympic final, the young history undergraduate refocused to return to the Olympic track after only a few hours sleep for the qualifying heats of the 4x100m.In their heat, the British team qualified through in second place behind Jamaica.

The following day saw Great Britain produce their fastest-ever relay performance as they brought the baton home behind highly experienced Jamaican and American teams.

Speaking to the BBC following the event, Dina, praised the efforts of her relay team:

"We have worked unbelievably hard. Out of all the teams I think we worked the hardest. This is for the entire nation."

Her bronze medal means that all five former and current King’s students competing in Rio will return to the UK with medals.

On the previous Saturday (13th August), Great Britain rower and mathematics graduate Paul Bennett had helped power the British men’s eight to a first Olympic gold medal in 16 years.

He was joined on the podium by fellow alumni and national teammates Frances Houghton and Zoe Lee, after the pair were part of the women’s eight that secured a first-ever silver medal in the boat class for Great Britain.

Law alumna Katherine Grainger meanwhile claimed her fifth Olympic medal, aged 40, in the women’s double scull, to become Great Britain’s most numerously decorated female Olympian.

King's Sport congratulations all five Olympians on their achievements!