Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita in 60m action (© Dan Vernon)
British record-holder Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita will race over 60m at the Birmingham World Indoor Tour Final at the Utilita Arena on 25 February in what will be a must-watch race on a day of world-class athletics.
Both athletes have shown their quality on the global stage in recent years, and they achieved medal success across three major events during the busy 2022 outdoor season.
Asher-Smith broke the British indoor 60m record at this season’s opening World Indoor Tour Gold meeting in Karlsruhe on Friday, running 7.04 to improve Asha Philip’s previous best of 7.06.
Following her record-breaking feat, Asher-Smith – who won world bronze and European silver over 200m last year – returns to Birmingham to compete at the venue for the first time since 2013.
As for Neita, she also enjoyed an excellent 2022 season by winning individual bronze in the 100m at the European Championships in Munich and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Fourth on the UK all-time list for 60m, her personal best of 7.11 was set at the Birmingham indoor event in 2022 when she finished in second place behind multiple Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah.
“I always love competing in front of a home crowd. It is an occasion I thrive in, so I am looking forward to getting out there and racing on the new track,” said Asher-Smith. “It has been a few years since I’ve competed indoors in Birmingham, so it is great to have the opportunity to race there at the World Indoor Tour Final.”
Neita added: “Coming off the back of a successful 2022 for me, I am really happy to be returning to Birmingham to race against another strong field. Last year I set my PB at the venue, so I know the track is a good one for me. And to be racing in front of such a loud home crowd is something I’m really looking forward to and I’m sure the atmosphere will be incredible.”
Asher-Smith and Neita join a superb line-up already announced for the Birmingham World Indoor Tour Final, with Grant Holloway and Andrew Pozzi named for the 60m hurdles, and Keely Hodgkinson and Laura Muir also among those in action.
For further information on the Birmingham World Indoor Tour Final, visit the event website.
Organisers for World Athletics
