GB’s Asher-Smith claims European 100m gold in Rome

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Dina Asher-Smith secured the 100m gold at the European Athletics Championships, while her British teammates Georgia Bell and Lizzie Bird claimed silver medals in Rome.

Asher-Smith won the race in 10.99 seconds, finishing ahead of Poland’s Ewa Swoboda (11.03 seconds) and Italy’s Zaynab Dosso. This marks her first major international medal since winning European 200m silver in 2022.

Bell earned silver in the women’s 1500m with a time of 4:05.33, achieving her first major international medal behind Ireland’s Ciara Mageean.

Bird initially appeared to replicate her European 3,000m steeplechase bronze medal performance from two years ago, but her medal was upgraded to silver following the disqualification of France’s Alice Finot.

Great Britain climbed to second in the medal table after winning two golds on Sunday.

Asher-Smith’s victory followed the team gold in the women’s half marathon, led by bronze medallist Calli Hauger-Thackery, during the morning session on day three.

Mageean finished strongly in the tactical 1500m final, crossing the line in 4:04.66 for Ireland’s second gold of the championships.

Britain’s Jemma Reekie had seemed in control but faded to fifth place with a time of 4:06.17, while teammate Katie Snowden finished ninth at 4:06.83.

Bird, 29, clocked 9:18.39 behind Finot (9:16.22) and initial runner-up Gesa Felicitas Krause of Germany (9:18.06) amid thunder and lightning in Rome. Finot was later penalised for an infringement on the inside of the track.