Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s Dina Asher-Smith (coach: John Blackie club: Blackheath & Bromley) will headline a stacked women’s 200m in front of a home crowd at the Müller Grand Prix Birmingham on Sunday 18 August.
Fresh from two sub-11 second times of 10.91 and 10.92 at last week’s Muller Anniversary Games and a second place finish in the final, reigning triple European champion and fan-favourite Asher-Smith has carried her incredible form into 2019.
Competition to the Londoner will once again be strong in Birmingham, however, with world leader in the 100m and 200m Elaine Thompson (JAM) among a crop of global stars also confirmed to race over 200m.
The reigning double Olympic champion and now re-finding terrific form in the build up to the world championships, Thompson was comfortably victorious over 200m at the Muller Anniversary Game but will come up against stiffer opposition on her return to the UK.
Also joining the line-up is Olympic 400m champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo (BAH) who is third in the world standings this year ahead of Asher-Smith (fifth), with the Bahamian an incredible talent over both the 200m and 400m. Victorious last time out in Birmingham, Miller-Uibo put down two fast marks in four days over 200m to open her season over the distance, clocking 22.09 in Monaco in mid-July.
Completing the quartet heading up the field, two-time 200m champion Dafne Schippers (NED) comes off the back of a disappointing disqualification in the women’s 100m at the Muller Anniversary Games, hoping to bounce back with a quick time over her preferred distance.
Ahead of competing in Birmingham, and emphasising the importance of the event in her world championship preparations, Dina Asher-Smith said:
“My next competition will be the 200m at the Müller Grand Prix in Birmingham. The atmosphere at the Müller Anniversary Games in London last week was great. I expect the same energy from the crowd in Birmingham.
“The British fans are exceptional and the athletes really appreciate the support. It pushes us to even better performances. With the World Championships in Doha getting closer the Müller Grand Prix Birmingham is positioned perfectly to help me prepare and fine turn my performances.”
The Müller Grand Prix will take place at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium, home of British Athletics. Some moments from last year include Greg Rutherford’s emotional retirement in his final long jump performance as well as Christian Coleman and Reece Prescod’s close finish in the men’s long jump.
Tickets for the Müller Grand Prix are on sale at www.theticketfactory.com/british-athletics