UNFORTUNATE: Local coaches react to Atkinson’s disqualification in Abu Dhabi

Veteran national swim coach Lynval Lowe described the circumstances surrounding Alia Atkinson’s disqualification from the women’s 50m breaststroke at the World Swimming Short Course (25m pool) Championships as concerning, as other athletes fell victim to similar incidents.

Atkinson was disqualified in her semi-final heat on Thursday’s opening day in Abu Dhabi because of an alleged downward dolphin kick before she touched the wall, initially finishing first in 29.55 seconds. Her infraction was reportedly spotted by the underwater cameras and not by any judge in a specific lane. The decision meant that she did not get a chance to defend the title she won in China three years ago.

However, her disqualification (DQ) was not an anomaly. According to Swimswan.com, she became the eighth swimmer to be ruled out of the event on Thursday and the 14th swimmer overall, combining the women’s 50m and men’s 100m breaststroke events. Additionally, six of those DQs came in lane four where Atkinson was lined up. Lowe, who helped to nurture Atkinson’s talent, said that it was concerning that such a high number of infractions would have occurred in one lane.

SIX DISQUALIFICATIONS IN SAME LANE

“That, to me, seems kind of puzzling. If the disqualifications were spread across different lanes, then I would have understood,” Lowe told The Gleaner. “If you have (a certain) number of disqualifications in lane four, then the judges should have come to a decision to take a close watch on lane four to see what is going on, because something must have been going on to get (six) disqualifications in lane four.”

While not saying that Atkinson was guilty of the infringement, Lowe noted that it could be possible for the cameras to misinterpret the incident in question because of the nature of the discipline.

“Breaststroke is a fast kick. When you kick out, you kick a small kick and then, based upon the hip movement and based upon the kicking back, if one is not careful, it might seem like it is a butterfly kick. But it is done so quickly, the camera can say that it is a butterfly kick when it is not. I am not sure what they are using is the ideal thing,” Lowe said.

It is a situation that both Lowe and national coach Rory Alvaranga have described as unfortunate, given that the two-time Olympian was competing in what could be the last international competition of her career.

“As an official myself, the thing is, if you are 99 per cent sure of a situation, you give the one per cent benefit to the swimmer. I can’t say whether Alia did or did not (commit the infringement). But I am really disappointed with the call. I really wanted to see Alia win this one in what could be her last hurrah,” Alvaranga said.

“Everybody is looking forward to her winning that 50m breaststroke. That is her pet event. That is what you go down there for and (getting disqualified like that), that is rough,” Lowe said.

Atkinson will have to concentrate on the women’s 100m breaststroke which starts early Sunday morning, and Alvaranga believes that she will be in the proper frame of mind to perform.

“Alia is a seasoned veteran. If the call is upheld, Alia has already put that behind her and she will go to the next one. I don’t think that this will affect her going forward,” Alvaranga said.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com