Dina Asher-Smith's advice to first-timers at Paris Olympics 2024-"Really really enjoy it but also bring everything you need to"

Sprinter Dina Asher-Smith is headed to the third Olympic campaign of her career, having played in the 2016 and 2020 editions. The experienced campaigner has some advice for first-time Olympians: to enjoy themselves fully while also focusing on prep.

Dina Asher-Smith won bronze in the 4x100m relay at both the 2016 and 2020 Olympics. One of the highest points of her career so far came in the 2019 World Championships, where she won gold in the 200m, and silver in the 100m and 4x100m relay. She is currently the fastest British woman, setting national records in both 100 and 200m.

The six-time European Champion has now qualified for the 100m and 200m in the Paris Olympics. In a recent interview, she recalled her debut stint at the 2016 Rio Olympics and shared some advice for first-time Olympians.

Dina Asher-Smith encouraged her peers to enjoy fully, but to keep their food intake and sleep under control for optimum performances.

"My advice to the younger athletes, I've been given a lot of this advice actually even to some of my training partners who is their first Olympics this week, is just to really really enjoy it but also to bring everything you need to, in terms of optimizing your sleep your focus and food because when you think about those three things that determine your performance. If you got those under control, then you're going to have a great day," she told to Athletics Weekly.

The Brit wasn't her best at the 2023 World Championships; after which she ended her 19-year-long partnership with coach John Blackie. Soon after, Asher-Smith moved to Texas to coach under Texas Longhorns' coach, Edrick Floreal.

Dina Asher-Smith - "I’m not somebody who carries any kind of baggage"

Dina Asher-Smith is ready for her third stint in the Olympics (IMAGE: GETTY)

The 28-year-old sat out of the 100m finals roster at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the wake of a hamstring tear.

Asher-Smith has put that behind her now and does not want to run with past demons in her head. She instead hopes to feel free and light on the track, extracting speed from her joy instead.

"I’m not somebody who carries any kind of baggage. I don’t think that’s a useful way to run. You have to go into everything with a clean slate. Some people are very motivated by previous frustrations. But I’m somebody who just needs to feel free and light and joyful to run fast. That’s my mentality," she had said earlier this year (via The Guardian)