She's running around like crazy packing her 3 x 32kg bags for Rio but sprinter Dina Asher Smith had time to stop by the ELLE offices for our Wednesday Workout.

The 20-year-old European Champion, who is on her summer holidays from King's University, told us how she's set on turning any pre-Olympic nerves into excitement.

'I love to run and I love getting an adrenalin rush when I compete so I am literally counting down the days until I can step onto the track in Rio.'

Dina Asher-Smith in the ELLE fashion cupboard photographed by Jessica Mahaffeypinterest
Jessica Mahaffey
Dina Asher-Smith in the ELLE Fashion Cupboard photographed by Jessica Mahaffey

She took us through her warm-up (ankle rotations, skipping, sidesteps) and her training regime – tomorrow she'll be working out in a suit that sends electric shocks to her muscles – as well as her favourite piece of GB kit (a Stella McCartney all-in-one) and why she's looking forward to 2am snacks in the Olympic Village.

We were in awe of her positive attitude and how she gives as much importance to mental strength as she does to physical power.

'You can have all the physical ability in the world but if you can't perform when it matters then it's of little use. You need to be mentally resilient and confident in your own ability.'

Dina Asher-Smith at the ELLE offices photographed by Jessica Mahaffeypinterest
Jessica Mahaffey
Dina Asher-Smith at the ELLE offices photographed by Jessica Mahaffey

She also shared her magic formula for feeling strong and ready for Rio, where the current 26 degree heat is the perfect condition for sprinting.

'Being happy, confident and relaxed. These three things together make me feel like I can put out a good performance at the Olympics.'

We can't wait to see her in action on 15 August but before then there's packing to be done. 

And the one thing she won't be forgetting to take with her? 

'A bottle of ketchup. It can make anything taste good.'

Headshot of Hannah Nathanson
Hannah Nathanson
Features Director
Hannah Nathanson is Features Director at ELLE. She commissions, edits and writes stories for online and print, spanning everything from ’Generation Flake’ to cover profiles with Dua Lipa and Hailey Bieber. One of her most surreal moments as a journalist has been ‘chairing’ a conversation between Jodie Comer and Phoebe Waller-Bridge from her living room. The word she says most in the office is ‘podcast’.