WORLD 200m champion Dina Asher-Smith has called for greater coverage and equal pay for women’s sport. In 2019 Asher-Smith became the first British woman to win a major global sprint title as she stormed to victory in the 200m at the World Championships.

The 23-year-old, who also won silver in the 100m, was the outstanding favourite and outclassed the field to take gold in a British record of 21.88 seconds.

She is the fastest British woman in recorded history and has been listed in the Powerlist as one of the UK’s most influential people of African/African Caribbean descent.

Now writing on www.theplayerstribune.com the sprinter has called for reforms to improve women’s sport.

She said: “So how do we, as an industry, do our part in addressing this (inequality)?

“Top of the list is the stuff that’s been screamed a hundred times already. It’s coverage, it’s airtime, it’s equal pay for women.

“But when I say industry, I’m talking about more than what happens on the field of play. 

“It’s the campaigns, merchandising, gaming, billboards and how we interact and influence wider culture. Who we elevate, and why. It’s giving women equal, earned opportunity.

“We need to carefully consider who gets the opportunities and recognition outside the arena.

“These people, intentionally or not, become part of the wider sporting narrative and represent how women see themselves in relation to sports.

“Does the way that women are portrayed off the field actually engage young girls and make them want to participate? Do these people inspire?

“Are they the best possible example available to portray the message that’s being communicated?”

Asher-Smith’s global success set was set up a year earlier when she became one of the undoubted stars of the 2018 European Athletics Championships in Berlin, claiming a historic sprint treble by taking gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, the first British woman to achieve this feat at a major championships.