British sprinter Dina Asher-Smith wins 100m European gold to claim first major title for FIVE YEARS

GOLDEN GIRL Dina Asher-Smith warmed up for the Paris Olympics by becoming Champion of Europe and ending a five-year drought.

The Londoner, 28, recaptured the women’s 100 metres crown on night three of the European Athletics Championships at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.

ReutersDina Asher-Smith is the European champion[/caption]

ReutersThe Team GB star recaptured the women’s 100m crown[/caption]

EPAShe edged out her rivals in the perfect warm-up for the Olympics[/caption]

GettyAmy Hunt, 22, came seventh with a time of 11.15 seconds[/caption]

The former world 200 metres champion was the best continental runner in 2018 but could not repeat the trick two years ago when she pulled up in the final.

Last night’s triumph on Italian soil is the perfect remedy as she tries to take on the incredible Americans and Jamaicans at the Paris Olympics.

After a false start caused by another runner, Asher-Smith overcame a sluggish start to power through in 10.99 seconds – the only woman to dip under 11 seconds.

The 28-year-old split with long-term coach John Blackie after the last World Championships in Budapest and has been based in Austin, Texas over the last winter.

There is still a long way to go if she wants to be seriously competitive in Paris but winning golds is always a wonderful pick-me-up – especially when it’s your first major title for five years.

She said: “That’s not normally my style of race, but I didn’t panic in my running, even if my head was a different story.

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“I really wanted to come here and win and showcase what we are working on.

“I’m just really happy.”

Amy Hunt, 22, continues her development on the international stage by coming seventh in 11.15 seconds.

Jemma Reekie, 26, led for most of the women’s 1500 metres final and was the pre-race favourite given her qualifying form.

But down the home straight it all fell apart for the Scotswoman and she faded out to fifth place as Irishwoman Ciara Mageean pushed through the gap to take gold in 4:04.66.

Amateur athlete Georgia Bell – who is a full-time cyber security software expert – won silver in 4:05.33 on her GB outdoors debut.

Lizzie Bird initially took bronze in the women’s 3,000 metres steeplechase in a time of 9:18.39.

But she was upgraded to silver when the French winner Alice Finot was retrospectively disqualified for an infringement.

Elsewhere, four British runners collectively won team gold in the women’s half marathon.

And Calli Hauger-Thackery (1:08:58) celebrated individual bronze.