Alia Atkinson Adds Jamaican Spice To Speedo's Line-Up Of Aquatic Ambassadors

Alia Atkinson Adds Jamaican Spice To Speedo's Line-Up Of Aquatic Ambassadors 

 

Craig Lord, SwimVortex.com

 

 

Alia Atkinson, the US-based Jamaican breaststroke ace, has signed a three-year deal with Speedo, the world’s leading swimwear brand. The 'global ambassador' agreement takes Atkinson to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and beyond.

 

 The 25-year-old claimed victories over 100 and 200m breaststroke at the USA Grand Prix meet in Mesa, Arizona, last week and is an 11-time FINA Swimming World Cup gold medal winner. Having competed in three Olympic, Rio would make it four Games.  Atkinson is aiming to go at leads one better than her fourth place in the 100m breaststroke at London 2012 to give Jamaica a debut Olympic swimming medal.

 

Atkinson is currently Special Project Manager for ‘Improving Caribbean & Minority Swimming in the World’ at the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Florida, where she is based. Speaking of her partnership with Speedo, she said:

 

“I have been swimming since the age of four, so I’m incredibly excited to become part of Team Speedo who have been with me from the start of my swimming journey.

 

“Speedo also does fantastic work in raising awareness of swimming and swim safety around the world, which is something I strongly support. I’m very proud to be working with Speedo in my journey towards the 2016 Games in Rio.”

 

Sean Hastings, Vice-President of Product and Marketing at Speedo International added: “Since her success in 2012, Alia has gone from strength to strength and we’re very pleased to be able to work with and support such exciting new talent.

 

"Alia is also incredibly passionate about swimming and swim safety awareness, which is at the heart of Speedo’s values.”