5-times Jamaican Olympian & world record holder swimmer Atkinson announces retirement

Kingston, Jamaica: Five-times Jamaican Olympian and world record holder and 4-time breaststroke world champion swimmer Alia Shanee Atkinson announced her retirement on December 21, 2021. 

The 33-year-old Jamaican swimmer had a two-decade-long swimming career. 

Atkinson, in her post on Instagram, wrote, “Not the meet I hoped for, but I am glad to say that I finished every ounce of swimming talent which God gave me, the bottle empty. There were many times when I wanted to quit or give up, but I saw it through to the end.”

The Office of the Prime Minister of Jamaica, on its Facebook post, wrote, “Thank you, Alia, for representing Jamaica with passion and determination on the world stage. We are proud of your accomplishments and wish you a relaxing retirement”. 

In the year 2014, Alia Atkinson became the first black woman to win a world championship swimming title in the 100m breaststroke at the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in Doha, Qatar.

More about Atkinson: 

Born on December 11, 1988, Atkinson once again made history by setting a world record in the short course of 50-metre breaststroke. After two years, in the year 2018, for the second time, Atkinson beat the world record in the short course 50-metre breaststroke.  

Following are the medals achieved by the Atkinson –

World Championships (LC) – 

• Silver medal – 2015 Kazan in 50 m breaststroke
• Bronze medal – 2015 Kazan 100 m breaststroke

World Championships (SC) – 

• Gold medal – 2014 Doha (100 m breaststroke)
• Gold medal – 2016 Windsor (100 m breaststroke)
• Gold medal – 2018 Hangzhou (50 m breaststroke)
• Gold medal – 2018 Hangzhou (100 m breaststroke)
• Silver medal – 2012 Istanbul (50 m breaststroke)
• Silver medal – 2012 Istanbul (100 m breaststroke)
• Silver medal – 2014 Doha (50 m breaststroke)
• Silver medal – 2016 Windsor (50 m breaststroke)
• Bronze medal – 2016 Windsor (100 m medley)
• Bronze medal – 2018 Hangzhou (100 m medley)

Commonwealth Games –

• Silver medal – 2014 Glasgow (50 m breaststroke)
• Silver medal – 2018 Gold Coast (50m breaststroke)
• Bronze medal – 2014 Glasgow (100 m breaststroke)

Pan American Games –

• Silver medal – 2011 Guadalajara (200 m medley)
• Silver medal – 2015 Toronto (100 m breaststroke)

Central American and Caribbean Games –

• Gold medal – 2006 Cartagena (50 m breaststroke) 
• Gold medal – 2006 Cartagena (100 m breaststroke)
• Gold medal – 2006 Cartagena (50 m butterfly)
• Gold medal – 2006 Cartagena (200 m medley)
• Gold medal – 2010 Mayagüez (50 m breastroke)
• Gold medal – 2010 Mayagüez (100 m breaststroke)
• Gold medal – 2010 Mayagüez (200 m breaststroke)
• Gold medal – 2010 Mayagüez (200 m medley)
• Gold medal – 2018 Barranquilla (50 m breaststroke)
• Gold medal – 2018 Barranquilla (100 m breaststroke)
• Gold medal – 2018 Barranquilla (50 m butterfly)
• Silver medal – 2006 Cartagena (200 m breaststroke)
• Bronze medal – 2018 Barranquilla (50 m freestyle)
• Bronze medal – 2018 Barranquilla (100 m butterfly) 

Writing heartfelt wishes, numerous world athletes and fans of the Jamaican swimmer commented on her post. 

Meanwhile, American competitive swimmer Annie Lazor wrote, “You’ve been a trailblazing athlete in and out of the pool, as well as a shining example of class and professionalism. It’s a privilege to be your teammate and friend”.