Anniversary Games: Britain’s 4x100m girls post new national record to claim impressive win at Olympic Stadium
Home quartet of Asha Philip, Desiree Henry, Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita set world-leading time just weeks before Rio
BRITAIN’S 4x100m girls posted a world leading time of 41.82secs – a new national record – to win at last night’s Anniversary Games.
The quartet of Asha Philip, Desiree Henry, Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita produced smooth change-overs at the Olympic Stadium in London to beat Brazil by almost three quarters of a second.
Just two weeks ago they had to settle for silver at the European Championships with a weakened team after Henry got injured in the individual 100m as Holland took gold on home soil in Amsterdam.
The Dutch could only manage sixth place last night at the Olympic Stadium despite having World 200m champion Dafne Schippers in their line-up.
With less than two weeks to go now before the Olympics kick-off in Rio last night’s performance will boost the British girls hopes of getting on the podium despite severe competition from the USA and the Jamaicans.
Philip insisted: “We are so pleased. Amsterdam we didn’t get the time, but we’ve proved we are worthy and can get a medal.”
And Henry said: “This has told the rest of the world – Rio 2016 we are coming for a medal.”
Just four years ago the 4x100m girls were kicked off lottery funding and failed to even qualify for London 2012 before British Athletics developed a new team.
By 2013 they had won bronze at the World Championships in Moscow.