Asher-Smith, Ta Lou-Smith excited about Jamaica debut

British sprinter Dina Asher-Smith and Ivory Coast's Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith have expressed excitement to make their first-ever competitive appearance in Jamaica at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational (JAI) while speaking at the press conference at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Thursday.

Asher-Smith and Ta Lou-Smith are among the names scheduled to headline this year's staging of the JAI track meet set for Saturday.

For Asher-Smith, the opportunity to compete in Jamaica is especially important as she has family members who live on the island. She said her family's support has been a source of inspiration throughout her career and she is excited to compete in front of them.

She also said it is important for every sprinter to compete in Jamaica at least once in their career.

"It means a lot. My parents are flying in for it, and I've got my cousins that live here that are coming to watch. It means a lot to me as a person. It has been one of my career goals to come and run in Jamaica," she said.

COUSINS

"My cousins, they travel around for me. They're in Budapest, they're in Rio, they come to my competitions even if they are with their Jamaica flags. I know that they follow me around the world so being able to come here and perform in front of them means so much.

"This is a big statement to say, but I think every short sprinter should run in Jamaica one time in their career. This is the centre of sprinting culturally for our discipline," she added.

Asher-Smith explained that while she had always carried the ambition to compete in Jamaica, her scheduling and location had often prevented her from doing so.

Since her decision to move to Texas to train under coach, Edrick 'Flo' Floreal, the Londoner is now able to add the JAI track meet to her competitive schedule.

"When you're looking at planning your season and you're based in London, it is a different strategic decision, so you ask, 'Am I going to go transatlantic at the beginning of the season?' But now that I'm in Austin, it's just a different load of meet that I've always wanted to do."

For Ivorian Ta Lou-Smith, she has been enjoying her time in Jamaica and said the island has reminded her much of her home country.

STRONG SHOWING

She is hoping to have a strong showing in her debut at the National Stadium as the JAI will serve as her individual season opener, with her only other race this year having been in the women's 4x100 metres relays at the World Athletics Relays last weekend in The Bahamas.

"When I arrived at the airport, I was just really happy to be here, it was nice. Even at the hotel here, all the people are smiling and are just happy. I love the atmosphere because it reminds me of my country. It's hot like that. So far so good so I cannot complain," Ta Lou-Smith said.

"As I always say, I just try to stay calm and focused. It is my first official competition as I started in the relays in The Bahamas. It is my first 100 metres for this season. I hope to execute well because I know if I execute well, then something can happen.

"The event will be a really really great race, so if I execute well and stay focused, then it is definitely something to look for," she continued.

The JAI is set to start at 7 p.m. on Saturday, with Asher-Smith to line up in the women's 200 metres while Ta Lou-Smith will contest the women's 100 metres.