Team GB sprinter Dina Asher-Smith splits with John Blackie to link up with Edrick Floreal ahead of 2024 Olympic Games
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Updated 20/03/2024 at 10:57 GMT
British Olympian Dina Asher-Smith has struggled in recent years since her bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games. She has now taken the decision to leave her coach John Blackie after 19 years following her recent struggles. Asher-Smith, 27, has decided to move to Texas for her training to link up with Edrick Floreal, with the 2024 Games being held in Paris next year.
‘I am happy’ - Asher-Smith pleased to secure place in final of 200m
British sprinter Dina Asher-Smith has announced a split with her coach John Blackie ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The 27-year-old took bronze in the 100 metre at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, in 2021.
She had been with Blackie since she was eight years old, but has now moved to be under Edrick Floreal instead, and will relocate to train in Austin, Texas.
Asher-Smith has endured a disappointing year and finished eighth at the World Athletics Championships in the 100m and seventh in the 200m.
Announcing the move on Instagram, she wrote: "After 19 years, John Blackie and I have ended our coach-athlete partnership.
"My life changed by meeting him and I will forever be grateful to him.
"His intellect, patience and dedication has taken me from an energetic eight-year-old to a world champion with over 20 international medals and many Olympics, World, Commonwealth and European finals.
"John and I will, of course, remain close friends. Thank you to John and thank you to all my team in London whose talents and hard work have helped me realise so many dreams to date.
"My next chapter will be led by Edrick Floreal based out of Austin, Texas. I'm very excited to join his talented training group as we head to Paris 2024."
Asher-Smith is one of Britain's best athletes, with a 100m bronze medal at the last two Olympics, and won the 2019 World Championships gold in Doha.
The Paris Olympic Games will likely be one of her last appearances at the Olympics.
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The Olympic Games will return with Paris 2024, live on Eurosport and discovery+
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