Atkinson making most of lockdown
Despite having to put her retirement on hold, Olympian Alia Atkinson says she has been able to work on her craft during quarantine.
Atkinson must wait an extra year to take her final dip in the pool as the COVID-19 pandemic caused the sudden cancellation of global sporting events.
However, she says it has been a blessing in disguise as she is now able to work on her weaknesses and better her strengths.
“Funny enough, I have been able to work on my weaknesses a lot and I am learning to increase strength in areas that I didn’t have the chance to focus on before.” she said.
“I have increased my running and changed my weight room routine and I have learnt how to do more core work and base training that I didn’t have before.”
Atkinson says that she is grateful despite being disappointed about not attending the Olympics this year. However, she remains hopeful that she is in a better place regarding her preparations.
“My preparation was a bit rocky after my first meet in China in January,” she said.
“My times were not where they needed to be and I knew I had a lot of work ahead of me if I was going to succeed in July for Olympics.”
She says she hopes to get the opportunity to compete this year as her results will be used as a benchmark to see how much more work to be done.
“Regarding the upcoming season, I am hoping I get to compete in the ISL (International Swimming League) in October,” she said.
“I will be to can really compete against the best in the world and see how far behind the quarantine set me.”
She says that the most important thing to do is to remain positive about her final year in the sport.
“So as of now it’s just taking it one month at the time and focusing on that and seeing how best I can prepare for that month going into the next,” she said.
Atkinson says she has been able to get a feel of the water and her training has been consistent.
LIFE LESSON
During her time in the pool, Atkinson says there are many aspects of her career that she has been able to apply to her life.
“I think the main lesson I learned during my career that has helped me is to not focus too much on what I can’t do,” she said.
“If you can’t make it to practice or if you can’t do the dry lands, you have to do what you can do and pray and have mental strength to know that it will be okay.”