She sure has been around for a while - having competed at the Olympics in 2004, 2008, and 2012, but she just now may be receiving some hard-earned respect after Alia Atkinson won the breaststroke 100meter short course world championship over the weekend.
With this win, she became the first black woman to win a world or Olympic title in swimming. And that means something. As she says herself, "hopefully, my face will come out, there will be more popularity, especially in Jamaica and the Caribbean, and we'll see more of a rise, and hopefully in the future we will see a push."
And, oh, by the way, that's the first gold in swimming for Jamaica ever - for men or women - in Worlds' history. So, the era is ripe for a lot of kids to be inspired to look at swimming with renewed interest. I'm always a fan of winners from unexpected places, and getting under-represented regions more involved and integrated in sport. Atkinson has some staying power through at least 2016. Having finished just out of the medals in fourth at the same event in London 2012, she is on the right trend. And, at only 25 years, she should should have lots more opportunities to showcase herself and the sport. Here's hoping.
With this win, she became the first black woman to win a world or Olympic title in swimming. And that means something. As she says herself, "hopefully, my face will come out, there will be more popularity, especially in Jamaica and the Caribbean, and we'll see more of a rise, and hopefully in the future we will see a push."
And, oh, by the way, that's the first gold in swimming for Jamaica ever - for men or women - in Worlds' history. So, the era is ripe for a lot of kids to be inspired to look at swimming with renewed interest. I'm always a fan of winners from unexpected places, and getting under-represented regions more involved and integrated in sport. Atkinson has some staying power through at least 2016. Having finished just out of the medals in fourth at the same event in London 2012, she is on the right trend. And, at only 25 years, she should should have lots more opportunities to showcase herself and the sport. Here's hoping.
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