Olympics: Briton Asher-Smith pulls out of final Tokyo 2020 warm-up

[July 12, 2021]  (Reuters) - Britain's Dina Asher-Smith has withdrawn from the British Grand Prix event in Gateshead on Tuesday, her last race before the Tokyo Olympics, due to a tight hamstring.

The 25-year-old sprinter was due to run in the 200 metres at the Diamond League meeting as part of her buildup to the July 23-Aug. 8 Olympics but said she had to make the "smart" decision and not take any risks.

"As you all know, I love running in front of a home crowd but I have to make smart decisions for myself and my body ahead of Tokyo!" the 2019 world champion tweeted https://twitter.com/dinaashersmith

/status/1414241442483130368 on Sunday.

"I'm sorry to those who were hoping to see me run this week but I'm looking forward to making you all proud in a few weeks time."

(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith in action during the women's 100m semi-final Action Images via Reuters/Molly Darlington