Doha (AFP)

Little marvel of the British sprint, Dina Asher-Smith, big favorite of the 200 m of the Doha World Championships Wednesday, has everything of a star: neat look, bright and formidable smile on the track, she has all the assets to make a place choice in the history of athletics in his country.

The athlete from Bromley, South London, could if successful on the turn of the track perform a capital performance: become the first representative of Her Majesty, in the ladies, to win a gold medal on a test of speed at the World Championships (100 and 200m). At 23, the one who has already won silver Sunday 100 m with the national record in the key (10 sec 83) confirms its extraordinary potential, one year after a fabulous tripled success at Euro-2018 Berlin ( 100m, 200m, 4x100m), the first great feat of arms of his young career.

It's a long time since the history graduate was watching, stars in the eyes, her compatriots shine at the London Olympics in 2012. Recruited as a volunteer, she immediately knew what would be her future vocation.

"I remember I saw Jessica Ennis-Hill's victory at the heptathlon," she recalls, "I thought, it's amazing that millions of people who do not know her can a blow to become proud of her.I immediately knew that was what I wanted to do. "

The suite looks like a fairy tale. At 17, she is already showing talent and precocity in the British 4x100m relay, third at the World Championships in Moscow in 2013. It follows a linear progression with a continental gold medal in 200m in 2016, then two podiums with the relay 4x100 m (the bronze at the Rio Olympics in 2016, the money at the London Worlds in 2017).

- "Polite" -

But it's really at the European Championships in 2018 that Asher-Smith is finally taking off with a hat-trick which is catching on all minds and is setting its new status among the world sprint cadets.

From then on, Britain becomes embroiled in her new idol. Flirty and fashion savvy, she is one of the magazines, not just sports, and is even invited to parades.

But according to those who rub shoulders with it and follow it since its beginnings, Asher-Smith has remained the same and the fame has not changed.

"It's a little cliché to say that but she stayed as she was when she was young, always polite and with a smile," said the Telegraph coach of his debut Mick Jones.

On the track however, Asher-Smith is not there to laugh. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a two-time Olympic champion (2008 and 2012) and a 100-meter winner in Doha, learned the hard way by being dominated by the Diamond League final in Brussels in September. The Jamaican took a striking revenge in Qatar on the straight but preferred not to start the 200m, leaving the way open for the British. It's up to her not to miss this golden opportunity.

© 2019 AFP