Jamaica is On a Mission, and this is what Alia Atkinson and other Jamaican Olympic Athletes are out to prove, at the London 2012 Olympics.
July 29, 2012 will be a day that will never be forgotten by Alia. She performed at a very high level to prove that she deserves a spot in the 100 metres breaststroke final, when the odds were against her. July 29, 2012 will be a day that Jamaicans remember as the first day that they really felt the overwhelming 2012 Olympic pride for our athletes in London.
Alia Atkinson won her 100 metres breaststroke heat and took the lead for the most part in her semi-final race. In the final lap of this event, she fell behind to tie for fourth position with the competitor from Canada, Tera Van Beilen. One would believe that Atkinson would be tired and struggle in her swim off; that was not the case. Alia rallied and from the moment she hit the water she lead the race. She ended up swimming the fifth fastest time to make the 100 metres breaststroke final.
Alia will be swimming from lane eight; nonetheless, this is not seen as a disadvantage as it might seem to be in a 400m race. This lane will afford Alia Atkinson less interference in the water. Atkinson will be on a mission in the finals to get the first medal for Jamaica and even attain a personal best in the 100 metres breaststroke.
By: Poetess Denise N. Fyffe, The Island Journal, Kingston, Jamaica
