Three south east Londoners helped set a new 4x100m women’s relay team set a new British record, as they sealed their place in the Olympic final.

Dina Asher-Smith, from Bromley, made her comeback after failing to reach the 100m final last week, running alongside Imani-Lara Lansiquot, from Peckham, and Lewisham’s Daryll Neita, who brought the race home.

With the help of Asha Philip, from Leyton, they qualified for Friday’s final fastest, ahead of the USA and Germany.

Dina Asher-Smith said: “It (winning a medal) would be absolutely amazing but again that is not the thing I think about right now. It is about staying focused.

News Shopper: Asher-Smith hands over to Lewisham's NeitaAsher-Smith hands over to Lewisham's Neita

“That is where my head has been for the past week. It hasn’t been in what happened. It hasn’t been about the 100m or 200m. It has been about me getting back on the training track and making sure I bring my absolute A-game to this race.

“Of course, it (a medal) would mean incredible things to everybody. We are the bronze medallists in Rio. It would be amazing for us to get another medal again, for all of us, for all of our lives, for all of our individual dreams and aspirations.

“To get that we have to stay focused and make sure we execute and do what needs to be done.

“After the 100m I did say there was no way I wasn’t going to be here for the 4x100m girls. I only had one day off then John (Blackie, coach) had me back on the training track.

“Essentially all I need is a few more weeks and sessions. He was saying if I had a few more days it would have been the 100m final, another week and it would have been 10.8. It’s one of those things where I’m chasing times.”

Daryll Neita, 24, went to school at Prendergast Hilly Fields, appearing in News Shopper more than ten years ago representing Lewisham at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre.

Dina Asher-Smith, 25, grew up in Orpington, attending Newstead Woods and training with Bromley and Blackheath Harriers.

Their team mate, Asha Philip, said: “A medal is definitely on the cards for us. I never like to jinx it but seeing that and the time…,” she said, with Imani-Lara Lansiquot and Daryll Neita completing the squad.

“I saw Dina get the baton and she is sprinting round that bend and we know how great she is on that top bend. Daryll was capable of bringing it home.

“It was a good race, a nice warm-up for us. We were up at 4am, on the 6.40am bus and started warming up at 7.30am. All these times we haven’t seen in a while.

“It was great for us and to come out with that time, it gives us energy and we’re going to come out tomorrow with the same energy.”

The men’s 4x100m relay team finished second in their heat to reach the final.

CJ Ujah, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, Richard Kilty and Zharnel Hughes clocked 38.02 seconds.

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