Atkinson has successful weekend in Italy

Alia Atkinson completed what for her must be considered a successful weekend at the Trofeo Sette Colli International Swim in Italy over the weekend.

After winning a gold medal and setting two new records on Saturday, Atkinson was eighth fastest in the 200-metre breast-stroke. Atkinson, who won four gold at last year's Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC), clocked 2:33.03 to finish second in the second of four heats in the event. Her heat was won by Germany's Sara Poewe in 2:31.81. However, her time was not good enough for a podium finish. Rikke Moeller Pederson of Denmark was fastest overall in 2:28.71.

On Saturday, Atkinson won a gold medal in the 50-metre breast-stroke. She stopped the clock at 31.06 to smash the national record she set last year at the CAC Games in Puerto Rico. Also on Saturday, she smashed the Jamaican 100-metre breaststroke record of 1:10.25, also set at the CAC Games last year, by posting a new time of 1:09.91 seconds. Her Italian trip is part of her 2012 Olympic preparation partly funded by the Olympic Solidarity Movement.

The meet was organised by the Italian Swimming Federation.

- Leighton Levy