On the Sideline
In “On the Sideline”, our host, Dalton Myers discusses the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) recent decision to reduce the ban on the use of Russia’s name and flag at the Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games and major sporting from four years to two years and what it means for the fight against doping in sport.
Play of the Day – Alia Atkinson
In the “Play of the Day”, Dalton speaks with World Record Holder and Olympian Alia Atkinson.
Alia Atkinson is a Jamaican swimmer, the breaststroke specialist competed in her first Olympics at just 16-years-old in Athens, Greece and has represented Jamaica in four Olympic Games. In Doha at the 2014 Short Course World Championships, Alia won the 100m breaststroke by tying the World Record, her win in the event made her the first black woman in history to win a world title in swimming and was Jamaica’s first gold swimming medal in the World Championships. She also broke her world record in the women’s 50-meter breaststroke (short course) at the 2018 FINA World Cup in Budapest in October 2018.
In this episode, Alia discusses. She speaks about her early interest in track and field and her decision to focusing on swimming. She discusses the impact of the pandemic on her mentally and her initial goals for the year. She also shares how her philanthropic efforts which are closely tied to swimming.
Alia also speaks about:
- How differently she approaches swimming comparing when she started versus now
- What it was like competing in the Internation Swimming League during the pandemic
- How she has dealt with disappointments over the years
- Her family’s support and her mother and aunt’s role in her career
Alia also discusses the swimmers that she is anticipating from Jamaica to follow in her footsteps. She gives her opinion on what needs to be done to support the development of swimming locally to facilitate more swimmer excelling internationally.
Other topics discussed are:
- Being a mentor to younger swimmers from the region
- Members of his support system including family and friends
- Advice for younger swimmers
- The most memorable moments in her career, including her world record performances
- Her longstanding relationship with her coach, Chris Anderson
- Her plans for her post-competitive career including becoming an author
- Increasing the presence of women of colour in swimming
- Activism
Connect with Alia:
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