Alia Atkinson pulled the curtains down on a remarkable international career on Monday (December 20) when she finished fourth in the 100m breaststroke at the FINA World Short-course Championships in Abu Dhabi, expressing gratitude that she retires with her two world records still intact.

She swam 1:04.03 to finish fourth in the final won by Qianting Tang of China in 1:03.47, a new Asian record. Sweden’s Sophie Hansson was second in 1:03.50 while Ireland’s Mona McSharry was third in 1:03.92.

The fourth-place finish meant that the 33-year-old Jamaican was ending her career without adding to the 10 medals she won at the championships between 2012 and 2018. She was disqualified for using a dolphin kick in the 50m breaststroke.

In that six-year span, Atkinson won four gold, four silver and two bronze medal at the championships. She also set the 50m world record of 28.56 at the World Cup in October 2018 and the 100m world record of 1:02.26 that she swam twice – at the World Championships in Qatar in 2014 and again at the World Cup in France in 2016.

Needless to say, she was disappointed at how her international career came to an end but said she is satisfied she gave it her all.

“Not the meet I hoped for but I am happy to say I finished every ounce of swimming talent God gave me, the bottle empty. Many times I wanted to quit or give up but I saw it through to the end,” she said on Instagram.

“Fun fact: I get to retire with my two world records intact. That is something I never thought would happen and this last race reminded just how remarkable my career was,” Atkinson continued.

“Many thanks to @speedo and @gkmsonline that have stayed with me this long. Many, many thanks to all that have supported me, cheered for me and followed me these past decades…” she added.

In addition to her 10 medals at the World Short-course championships, Atkinson won two silver and a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games, two silver medals at the Pan Am Games, and 11 gold medals, a silver and two bronze medals at the CAC Games.

A three-time Jamaica Sportswoman of the Year (2014, 2017, 2018), Atkinson was an inspiration to many Caribbean swimmers and for her contribution to the sport, she was conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree by the University of the West Indies in November 2021.