Alia ‘brings glory’ with world record

– Grange

KINGSTON: MINISTER OF Culture, Gender Affairs, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange has sent congratulations to Jamaica’s swimmer Alia Atkinson, who broke the world record in the 50 metres short course breaststroke event in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday.

Atkinson posted 28.64 seconds to break the previous world record of 28.80 for the 50 metres short course breaststroke, which was set in 2009.

“What a joy it is to receive this great news and to see the wonderful headline across the world: ‘Jamaica’s Alia Atkinson breaks world record’. We should add the word ‘again’ to that headline because Alia has done this before,” said Minister Grange.

“Alia consistently brings glory to Jamaica and continues to be an inspiration to us all,” she continued. “I congratulate her on this magnificent achievement, which adds to a long, growing and impressive list of outstanding performances.

“Let us all celebrate with her and wish her continued success,” said Grange.

Atkinson is also currently a joint world record holder for the 100 metres breaststroke, after tying the record in 2014 and again earlier this year.

At the 2016 Rio Games, she became Jamaica’s first ever two-time Olympic swimming finalist, having already done so in London 2012.