Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson opened her long- course season this past weekend in Plantation Florida, winning two gold and a silver medal at the Florida Gold Coast Senior qualifier.
Swimming for South Florida Aquatics, the 32-year-old Atkinson, preparing for what will most likely be her final Olympic Games, this summer, won the 100-metre breaststroke in 1:12.18. She would also win the 50-metre backstroke in 31.66. She was second in the 50-metre freestyle, touching in 26.78.
Her coach, Chris Anderson said Atkinson’s performance was the start of intense preparations towards the summer.
"Alia’s long-course opener last weekend was just the first step, a training meet, setting her up for a series of meets in February and March,” he said.
“Alia is currently training in a high volume in the pool and weight room and is consistently training very well. Alia will continue to progressively get faster at each competition throughout the next two months".
Meanwhile, several other Jamaicans in action at the meet included national age-group record holder Morgan Cogle and her sister Alexandria, both representing Jupiter Dragons Swim Team.
Fifteen-year-old Morgan was seventh in the 50-metre backstroke in 33.44 while Alexandria, her younger sister, recorded a personal best of 30.84 in the 50-metre freestyle and was 50th overall.