Atkinson fails to advance

Jamaican overseas-based swimmer Alia Atkinson today failed to qualify for the semi-final of the women’s 200-metre breaststroke at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.



Atkinson’s hopes of qualifying was shattered after she placed second in Heat Two in 2 minutes 29.53 seconds behind Malaysia’s Yi Ting Stow, who stopped the clock at 2 minutes 27.80.



Atkinson’s time could only rank her 25th in the qualifying round. However, the time recorded was well above her entry time of two minutes 31.28.



Jamaica’s two other swimmers; first-time Olympian Natasha Moodie and Jevon Atkinson, not related to Alia Atkinson will also see action before the week ends.



Jevon Atkinson, 24, will compete in the Men’s 50-metre freestyle tomorrow morning at 5:33, while Moodie, 17, will swim in the women’s 50-metre freestyle a day later.