Bromley Council sent its heartfelt congratulations to local world athletics champion Dina Asher-Smith through a motion tabled at Full Council on 14 October 2019.
Dina comes from Bromley and trains with Blackheath and Bromley Harriers, so the council wanted to formally recognise Dina’s achievements and the positive effect they have on others in the borough and beyond.
Tribute was paid to her amazing achievements including an individual gold medal in the Women’s 200m and two silver medals in the Women’s 100m and 100m relay at the 2019 Athletics World Championship in Doha. The council also wishes her good fortune in the 2020 Olympics.
Dina was born in the borough and attended Perry Hall Primary School and then Newstead Woods School, going on to study history at Kings College London where she graduated with a BA (Hons) in 2017.
She has trained and competed at Norman Park since the age of 8, continuing to use it as her main training base together with her coach, John Blackie. There she is acknowledged as an inspiration to everyone involved with Blackheath and Bromley Harriers AC, not only for her incredible achievements on the track but also her influence as a positive role model for their outstanding junior athletes. Their junior male and female teams are currently the top ranked in the country, with many of the athletes also using Norman Park as their main training base.
Bromley’s Mayor, Cllr Nicholas Bennett said: “We are extremely proud and thankful for the achievements of Dina Asher-Smith and for the inspiration she undoubtedly gives to our next generation of young people both through her sport and educationally. We wanted to formally convey this and I will be writing to Dina to present her with a special copy of the resolution.
“It also gives me great pleasure to report that the council is currently undertaking refurbishment works at Norman Park Athletics Track. The new running track has already been re-laid and is in the process of being sprayed. Subject to weather, the works should be complete by the end of October and we hope that this will further encourage our local athletes to strive for the excellence that Dina has achieved.”
One of Dina Asher-Smith’s recent kind gestures was to donate various items of sports kit to be auctioned to benefit Bromley children who are leaving care. Proceeds will be used to provide special ‘housewarming gifts’ over and above the support given by the council. The initiative was suggested and launched by Bromley’s Living in Care Council and the young people themselves have been working hard to raise money for this purpose. The sports memorabilia are signed and donated personally by Dina Asher-Smith herself to benefit this fine cause.
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- For media enquiries, please contact Susie Clark, Communications, on 020 8461 7911 or email susie.clark@bromley.gov.uk