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Published:Wednesday | July 28, 2021 | 12:12 AM
Jamaica’s Alia Atkinson looks at the clock after her Women’s 100m Breaststroke heat at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre during the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday. The 32-year-old said that this will be her last Olympic Games and that this is likely h
Gladstone Taylor
Jamaica’s Alia Atkinson looks at the clock after her Women’s 100m Breaststroke heat at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre during the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday. The 32-year-old said that this will be her last Olympic Games and that this is likely her last season as a professional swimmer.

“It’s funny. Looking back, the years went by so fast and before I realised it, I was looking at the end of it.

“A question that was asked after my swim today was:

“Would I give it all up for an Olympic medal?” and honestly, I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything. All the ups and downs have made me who I am today (though at times it feels like there were more downs than ups), but it taught me how to get up and God taught me how to smile through it all.

“My x5 Olympic journey ends here with a 4th-place finish in 2012 and 2 Olympic final appearances. The elusive Olympic medal is still waiting for a Jamaican swimmer to claim it. It didn’t happen for me, but I know it can happen for you, so keep pushing.

“To the future Jamaican Olympic swimming medallist:

“I hope the road was/is less rocky for you; if so, then I have indeed succeeded. We have waited a long time for you, so thank you for staying true and carrying the flag high.”

“#tokyo2020 #imout #NOTretired #stillgoing #fornow #thanksforreading”

(alia_atkinson)

— Olympian Alia Atkinson reflects on her career.