Atkinson, Ho off to World Champs

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's two-member team of Alia Atkinson and Victoria Ho arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, yesterday ahead of tomorrow's start of the 10th staging of the FINA World Swimming Championships, which will be held from December 15-19.

Atkinson has been in impressive form this season, winning four gold medals at the Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC).

She also made the final of the 50m Breaststroke at the Commonwealth Games, which was held in Delhi, India, in October.

These performances helped in moving Atkinson up the world rankings in the 50m breaststroke to 45th, with a personal best of 31.91.

Atkinson is down to compete in the 50m and 200m breaststroke events, as well as the 100m individual medley.

Ho, who made the senior national team for the first time at the CAC Games, has enjoyed improved performances in her favourite events - the 200m and 800m - freestyle this year.

The Jamaica's team is coached and managed by Angela Chuck, who was a member of Jamaica's 2000 Olympic Games team and is currently the coach at Duke University in North Carolina, United States.

Meanwhile, Natasha Moodie, Brad Hamilton and Kendese Nangle were selected for the team, but had to forgo the championships because of academic commitments.