Atkinson calls for support
Published:Monday | April 23, 2018 | 12:00 AMAndre Lowe/ Sports Editor
With thoughts of retirement admittedly creeping into her thoughts, standout Jamaican swimmer Alia Atkinson is hoping that the powers that be will provide the support needed to ensure Jamaica's continued success in the pool.
Atkinson, 29, has been competing at the senior global level for almost 15 years, and recently secured her latest international medal, a silver in the 50m breaststroke at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, which she admitted is likely to be her last.
"More than likely it will be my last," Atkinson said of her 2018 Commonwealth Games appearance.
"I have thought about different avenues I can go into. It's hard to end something that has been a part of my life, but I will tell you, I will want to retire when I am completely content with myself, the sport and the foundation I left," Atkinson told The Gleaner.
Atkinson, a world record holder in the 50m breast stroke,, made history when she became the first black woman to win a world title in 2014, in Doha at the Short Course World Championships. With four Olympics under her belt, Atkinson is concerned that the country's talent pool will struggle to stay afloat unless the proper attention and opportunities are provided.
HURT THE MOST
"Jamaica is filled with talent. The amount grows every year and I think that is what hurts the most, because neither the Government nor the federation is capitalising on that," Atkinson bemoaned.
"We can be great. Everyone says how great it is for me to do it on my own, but it doesn't have to be that way," she added.
The multiple World Championships medal winner noted that it was important that young swimmers continue to have role models in the pool and believe enough has not been done to feed the talent and enthusiasm.
"People from around the world want to represent Jamaica and the young ones need them to look up to and inspire and eventually beat. It's a cycle and we are not feeding the cycle," Atkinson argued.
She is hoping that her new platform, Watabound, which is a space used to inform, inspire and facilitate young swimmers, will provide some sort of support for the next generation of great Jamaican swimmers.