Dina Asher-Smith crushed the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome, snagging 100m gold in 10.99 seconds—her first major international title since 2019—and reminding the world why she’s still sprint royalty. But the Paris 2024 Olympics delivered a bittersweet encore: a heart-stopping fourth-place finish in the 200m (22.22 seconds, just 0.02 off the podium) and a silver medal in the 4x100m relay, proving she’s as much a team powerhouse as a solo phenom.

Yet behind the medals and near misses lies a story deeper than split times. Asher-Smith’s journey is fueled by a legacy of resilience passed down from parents who crossed oceans for opportunity and a quiet, unshakable faith in her own potential. Let’s unpack the cultural pride and personal beliefs that ground Britain’s fastest woman—and why she’s racing into 2025 with more fire than ever.  

What is Dina Asher-Smith’s Ethnicity?

Born to Jamaican parents in Orpington, London, Dina Asher-Smith’s roots are steeped in Caribbean grit. Her dad, Winston, was a sprinter in his youth, while her mom, Julie, played professional hockey until her 30s—both immigrating to the UK and passing down their athletic genes.

Growing up in a predominantly white London suburb, Dina’s African-American identity shaped her resilience. “I wasn’t the fastest kid,” she once admitted, but her parents’ work ethic—Winston in finance and Julie in healthcare—taught her to outwork stereotypes. Her Jamaican heritage isn’t just a footnote; it’s her superpower. She’s been vocal about representing Black British excellence, even gracing the Powerlist as one of the UK’s most influential African-Caribbean figures.

Dina’s love for jerk chicken and reggae (she’s a closet Sean Paul fan) keeps her connected to her roots. But her real cultural flex? Smashing records as the first British woman to win a World Championship sprint title (200m in 2019)—a feat that made Jamaica’s sprint legends nod in respect.

What is Dina Asher-Smith’s Religion?

Dina identifies as Christian, though she keeps her faith low-key. Unlike some athletes who credit divine intervention post-race, her spirituality is more personal—a quiet anchor during setbacks like her devastating 2021 Olympic hamstring tear.

Her faith intertwines with her advocacy. After speaking out about period stigma in sports (she once blamed menstrual cramps for calf tightness at the 2022 European Championships), she framed it as a “human issue,” reflecting her belief in fairness and equality, values rooted in her Christian upbringing. “I want to use my voice for things that matter,” she’s said, channeling an ethos of service over spectacle.

While she doesn’t flaunt Bible verses, her actions speak volumes. During the 2020 Olympics, she defended athletes’ rights to protest racial injustice, arguing that silencing them would “embarrass the IOC.” For Dina, faith isn’t just about Sunday services—it’s about standing up for what’s right, even when it’s unpopular.

Up next? Dominating the 2025 Diamond League circuit to sharpen her 100m/200m edge, defending her 200m crown at the World Championships in Tokyo, and eyeing LA 2028 as her potential golden swan song. “I’m not done yet,” she’s teased, hinting she might outlast her rivals like a fine Jamaican rum.

Dina’s not just sprinting—she’s rewriting the script for Black British athletes. Between races, she’s strutting at Paris Fashion Week, partnering with brands to smash period stigma in sports, and shouting out her Jamaican roots like a badge of honor. “My heritage’s my rocket fuel,” she says. “I run for every girl told she doesn’t belong”