Dina Asher-Smith told of her frustration after being beaten on home soil by ‘supermum’ Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
Britain’s fastest woman had hoped to use the Anniversary Games as a glorious stepping stone to the business end of the season.
And while she ran sub 11-second 100 metres twice in the space of 90 minutes, she had to settle for second best behind a mother superior.
At 32 Fraser-Pryce is nine years Asher-Smith’s senior and has a son who celebrates his second birthday in a fortnight.
But on the track where she won the second of her two Olympic titles Jamaica's pocket rocket proved age has not wearied her by storming to victory in 10.78 seconds.
“To run two sub-11's is amazing,” said Asher-Smith, who clocked 10.92. “But I came here wanting to win my home Diamond League and wanting to run a 10.8, so seeing that time in the final was a bit frustrating.”
On paper it is a reality check for the three-time European champion, particularly with Fraser-Pryce admitting: “I’m surprising myself. I thought it would take a little time after having my son to get back to where I am.”
But Asher-Smith is smart enough to have known that Fraser-Pryce and Olympic gold medalist Elaine Thompson would up the ante in world championship year.
Come those champs in Doha this October only one title will be defended by Britain - that of the men’s 4 x 100m relay.
Despite fielding an understrength team yesterday, the British four impressively served notice that this team will not be giving up its throne without a fight.
CJ Ujah, Zharnel Hughes, Richard Kilty and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake combined to win in not only the fastest time in the world this year, but the second quickest ever run by a British quartet.
“People often forget that we are world champions but we never do,” said Mitchell-Blake after stopping the clock on 37.60secs. “We set a high bar for ourselves because we want to retain that title.
“We know our win in London two years ago wasn’t a fluke, now we intend to prove it. I’m not saying the Americans and Jamaicans will be intimidated by this but they’ll understand that we’re not to be messed with.”
Sprint starlet Amy Hunt won her second gold medal of the European Under-20 Championships when adding the sprint relay to her 200m title from the day before, Britain stopping the clock on 44.11secs.
