No British woman has ever run faster than 26-year-old 100 and 200m sprinter Dina Asher-Smith. She has been a World Champion, an Olympic medallist and has a following of 359k on Instagram. While Asher-Smith might whip past on tartan, she spends an hour getting ready before heading to the warm-up track. ‘When I’m out on the track, I’m not thinking about what I look like. I’m just trying to win,’ she told Vogue. ‘But beforehand, I need to be calm. Doesn’t matter how nervous you might feel, if you need to do your eyeliner, you cannot be shaking.’
Trivia: Asher-Smith is a fashionista. On her wrist you’ll find any of a variety of Hublot watches (a lead sponsor). Spot her presenting BAFTAs in black Victoria Beckham gowns, on the front row of Prada shows or chilling in Jacquemus’ hyper soft black cropped cardigan.
Sponsors: Hublot, Nike, Muller, Lancome
Next competition: due to a minor hamstring injury Asher-Smith yesterday withdrew from the Commonwealth Games, but promises she’ll be back on the track later this summer
Dame Laura Kenny – the track cyclist
Dame Laura Kenny
KIRSTY O’CONNOR/Getty Images
It was in a ruffled, beaded yellow dress that track cyclist Laura Kenny, 30, accepted her knighthood this May. Husband Jason was awarded his on the same day. Together, the Kennys have become a power couple in sport: winning Olympic golds, attending awards ceremonies, and consoling each other through a devastating ectopic pregnancy post Tokyo. Dame Laura is the most successful female Olympian in history, with four Olympic and 15 World Championship medals – and she’s back on the track this week, going for top position at the Commonwealth Games.
Trivia: after her ectopic pregnancy, Kenny considered quitting cycling earlier this year – but now coming back from the trauma is her motivation. ‘The obvious thing for me to do when I felt that sad and that broken was just to go and ride my bike again,’ she has said.
Sponsors: HSBC, Adidas, Rocket Sports
Next competition: the Commonwealth Games this week. Kenny will compete in the team pursuit, scratch, and points race
