Alia Atkinson, Olympian Named Director of Special Projects at ISHOF
Alia Atkinson, Olympian Named Director of Special Projects at ISHOF
For those of you who do not know me, My name is Alia Atkinson. Recently
I was appointed the Director of Special Projects the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
I am a three time Jamaican Olympic swimmer and I recently finaled in the 2012 Olympic
games. However, I am not here today to just talk about my accomplishments.
I am here to speak about something that is special to me and hopefully all of
you as well; youth swimming.
games. However, I am not here today to just talk about my accomplishments.
I am here to speak about something that is special to me and hopefully all of
you as well; youth swimming.
Have you ever asked the question, whether to yourself of someone else
“Why is it that there are fewer African Americans or minorities in swimming
compared to: football, track, Basketball. “
“Why is it that there are fewer African Americans or minorities in swimming
compared to: football, track, Basketball. “
“ Have you ever wondered why in Jamaica and other Caribbean Islands, which
are surrounded by beautiful, clear warm water – most locals on the island
don't know how to swim?
are surrounded by beautiful, clear warm water – most locals on the island
don't know how to swim?
Why is it that we have the most accessible beaches and waters in the world,
yet the locals are hesitant to make their young ones go swimming, Is it
because they themselves can't?
yet the locals are hesitant to make their young ones go swimming, Is it
because they themselves can't?
The problem arises from complex historical facts, cultural identities and social
mixtures.
mixtures.
Did you know that in the past Africans and Native Americans were the ones
who had amazing swimming abilities? Together as a race we were amazing
swimmers. Unfortunately some moved to the Caribbean basin and others
around the globe, and our culture and love of swimming parted with it. The
knowledge we had, was lost throughout the generations. This is our history –
but few really know it.
who had amazing swimming abilities? Together as a race we were amazing
swimmers. Unfortunately some moved to the Caribbean basin and others
around the globe, and our culture and love of swimming parted with it. The
knowledge we had, was lost throughout the generations. This is our history –
but few really know it.
If there were such a thing as the Olympics in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries
– the swimming races would have been dominated by people of color, as
they are dominated today by people of European descent. This is a fact! You
can learn all about it at the International Swimming International Hall of
Fame. While I was there I learnt about Native Americans who swam across
rocky rivers, with their weapons on their back, trying to escape enemies. I
– the swimming races would have been dominated by people of color, as
they are dominated today by people of European descent. This is a fact! You
can learn all about it at the International Swimming International Hall of
Fame. While I was there I learnt about Native Americans who swam across
rocky rivers, with their weapons on their back, trying to escape enemies. I
read about stories of Milt Campbell, All-American footballer, track star and
swimmer; and also one of my favorite Charles French. Mr French, in WWII was
a navy kitchen worker. When their vessel was hit, he swam over 6 hours to
shore in shark infested water. Not only did he accomplish such an incredible
feat, but he did so with a rope around his waist. That rope was attached to a
raft that held some of his injured crew men.
Not only are they inspirational heroes of our past, but they should also
be inspirational heroes of our future. Our swimming history needs to be
remembered and followed through to our next generations.
swimmer; and also one of my favorite Charles French. Mr French, in WWII was
a navy kitchen worker. When their vessel was hit, he swam over 6 hours to
shore in shark infested water. Not only did he accomplish such an incredible
feat, but he did so with a rope around his waist. That rope was attached to a
raft that held some of his injured crew men.
Not only are they inspirational heroes of our past, but they should also
be inspirational heroes of our future. Our swimming history needs to be
remembered and followed through to our next generations.
So how can we rectify this situation? How can we inspire the youth to accept
the aquatic cultural traditions of their ancestors?
the aquatic cultural traditions of their ancestors?
Obviously one way is to publicize the achievements of athletes like: Shaune
Fraser, Brett Fraser, Ariana Vanderpool Wallace and myself, and that’s just
naming a few, but still that’s not enough. We need to educate parents, teach
children and inform the public about their swimming history.
Studies show that if a child doesn't learn to swim before the age of 8, he or she
probably never will. We need to showcase the benefits of swimming and about
water safety.
Fraser, Brett Fraser, Ariana Vanderpool Wallace and myself, and that’s just
naming a few, but still that’s not enough. We need to educate parents, teach
children and inform the public about their swimming history.
Studies show that if a child doesn't learn to swim before the age of 8, he or she
probably never will. We need to showcase the benefits of swimming and about
water safety.
This brings me to our proposal. In learning how to swim there are not many,
if any, books that will inspire the Caribbean and minorities communities.
This will be the first of many steps that will help bring our culture back to the
way it was. We have mocked up what I hope you will agree is an attractive
children’s book about water safety, that we believe will encourage swimming
on your country and can help to inform the public in water safety.
if any, books that will inspire the Caribbean and minorities communities.
This will be the first of many steps that will help bring our culture back to the
way it was. We have mocked up what I hope you will agree is an attractive
children’s book about water safety, that we believe will encourage swimming
on your country and can help to inform the public in water safety.
As we have seen – while not every child who takes swimming lessons will
become a competitive swimmer, those who have the aptitude, encouragement
and determination very well may be the next Caribbean, Pan American or
Olympic Champion. But it all starts with inspiration. We need to inspire our
youths, and we need to start now. We know this is the book to do it.
become a competitive swimmer, those who have the aptitude, encouragement
and determination very well may be the next Caribbean, Pan American or
Olympic Champion. But it all starts with inspiration. We need to inspire our
youths, and we need to start now. We know this is the book to do it.
