Sure, here’s the paraphrased and complete version of the text:
Initially, Ashleigh Nelson, Hayley Mills, Dina Asher-Smith, and Annabelle Lewis (from left to right) thought they finished in fourth place, but after successfully challenging the second-placed French team, they secured a podium position.
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Charles van Commenee, the UK Athletics head coach at the time, didn’t hold back his thoughts, which was typical of his leadership.
He referred to the situation as an accident in the making in June 2012, saying, “This was an accident waiting to happen.” He added that he was not surprised, and it was the reason he withdrew funding two years prior.
His frustration targeted the much-criticized British women’s 4x100m team, which was disqualified for a lane infringement during the 2012 European Championships heats, falling to 17th in the global rankings.
The host country, not making the top 16, faced the embarrassment of not having a women’s sprint relay team to cheer for at their home Games.
Van Commenee continued to emphasize the need for a serious review of women’s sprints, especially the 100m. He suggested that sometimes hitting rock bottom is necessary to grow and improve.
A year later, after Van Commenee resigned – not meeting his own medal target at the London Games – the British women’s 4x100m team made an astonishing victory at the Moscow 2013 World Championships, claiming bronze.
After a gap of 29 years without a global podium, the team’s humiliating absence from the Olympics still lingered. But suddenly, they were one of the world’s fastest teams, marking the beginning of their most triumphant era.
Now, failing to make a global podium is considered a failure for Britain’s fastest women, as medals have become the norm.
Dina Asher-Smith has become the nation’s superstar, winning Britain’s first individual global sprint medal in 36 years at Doha 2019. Her career now boasts eight Olympic and world medals.
But what shifted the tide?
With the upcoming Budapest World Championships, how did Britain’s female sprinters transform from objects of scorn to favorites for medals?
The journey from shame to glory was arduous.
Britain’s intermittent success in women’s sprinting included two individual silvers at the 1948 Olympics, Dorothy Hyman’s 100m and 200m double at the 1960 Olympics, and a brief period of four medals in the early 1980s.
However, London 2012 brought back harsh reality.
Decades without winning any global women’s sprint medal led Van Commenee to take severe measures.
After Britain’s 4x100m women were eliminated in the 2010 European Championships’ first round, he publicly berated the team. Van Commenee called their performance “unacceptable” and “schoolgirls’ mistakes,” and he soon cut the funding.
The decision was met with controversy.
Two years later, a lane infringement by Hayley Mills in Helsinki resulted in the loss of Britain’s home Olympics place, leading her to criticize UK Athletics for missed opportunities during the qualification period.
With the athletes losing faith in themselves and the leadership, the relationship had soured.
When American coach Rana Reider took control of the sprints and relay setup in early 2013, he noticed a lack of enthusiasm. He instilled a mentality that being part of the relay team was an honor, creating a unified and committed environment.
The new sense of unity became a turning point, especially when Reider made it clear that commitment to practice was mandatory. The change in attitude marked a transformation.
With low expectations given previous turmoil, Britain’s unfunded female sprinters managed an unlikely bronze medal at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow.
The relatively inexperienced team, featuring Asher-Smith, who was only 17 at the time, surprised many. An injury to Anyika Onuora led to a shuffle in the lineup, but the team remained confident.
After initially finishing fourth, a successful protest against France led to a disqualification and an unlikely bronze for Britain. The joy was mixed with disappointment as they didn’t receive their medals until the following year in Birmingham.
This success led to a renewed investment in women’s 4x100m funding and sparked a significant turnaround.
Despite the departure of Reider in 2014, the team continued to rise, winning Olympic bronze in 2016 and 2020 and two silvers at the World Championships. Much of this success can be attributed to a renewed focus, hard work, and a collective goal-driven mentality.
The collective triumphs extended to individual sprints, especially with Asher-Smith leading the charge and the increased depth of talent following her.
Technological advancements have played a role, but a fundamental mindset shift is attributed to sustained relay success.
Nelson, who is sidelined due to injury in 2023, emphasizes the impact of Asher-Smith’s global success and a competitive camaraderie among teammates.
In retrospect, Van Commenee’s funding cut might have been part of a master strategy, seeking a response to the challenges. Regardless of his intentions, the shift has left a lasting legacy in British athletics.
The story of triumph has inspired many young athletes, with stars like Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita leading the way.
“If it was the pivotal moment 10 years ago, then I’m just proud to be part of that,” Lewis said, reflecting on the success and growth of the women’s 4x100m.
Britain’s future in women’s sprinting looks bright, marking an era of consistent global success and an inspiring journey from failure to victory.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword: women’s 4x100m team
Who are the main members of the British women’s 4x100m relay team mentioned?
The main members of the British women’s 4x100m relay team mentioned are Ashleigh Nelson, Hayley Mills, Dina Asher-Smith, and Annabelle Lewis.
What incident caused the British women’s relay team to initially be ranked fourth in the Moscow 2013 World Championships?
The British team initially finished fourth, but they were elevated to third place after a successful appeal against the second-placed French team who were disqualified for handing over the baton outside the permitted zone.
Why did Charles van Commenee stop funding the British women’s 4x100m relay team?
Van Commenee stopped funding the British women’s 4x100m relay team after they were disqualified for a lane infringement in the 2012 European Championships heats, slipping to 17th in the world rankings. He was furious at their performance and saw their issues as an “accident waiting to happen.”
How did the British women’s 4x100m relay team’s fortune change in the years following Moscow 2013?
After the bronze win at Moscow 2013, the team saw a notable upturn in fortunes, including funding restoration and subsequent Olympic bronze medals in 2016 and 2020. The success is attributed to hard work at relay camps, a renewed focus on the program, and a collective goal-driven approach.
Who is Dina Asher-Smith, and what’s her significance in British athletics?
Dina Asher-Smith is one of Britain’s fastest women and a central figure in British sprinting. She claimed Britain’s first individual global sprint medal for 36 years at Doha 2019 and has won eight Olympic and world medals during her career. Her success has been vital in transforming the perception of British women’s sprinting.
What role did American coach Rana Reider play in the British women’s relay team’s success?
Rana Reider took charge of Britain’s sprints and relay setup in early 2013. He instilled a sense of unity and emphasized teamwork and commitment. His approach changed the attitudes of the team members, which contributed to their bronze medal win at the 2013 World Championships.
What led to a renewed belief and performance boost among British female sprinters?
The sustained success in relay, breakthrough performances by stars like Dina Asher-Smith, improvements in training, and a fundamental mindset shift all contributed to a renewed belief and performance boost among British female sprinters. It led to a more competitive and confident environment within the sport.
5 comments
Great info here, really opened my eyes. Thanks for sharing! some times its hard to find good stuff like this
I never thought about it that way, but you’ve made a good point. keep up the good work!
what is this even talkng about? i cant understand some parts, maybe its just me.
this is intresting but i dont agree with everything said here. can you provide more evedince?
Loved reading this its a fresh perspective, wish there were more like this. Missing something though.