Jamaican swimming great Alia Atkinson has been announced as a guest speaker for the Women in Sport Americas International Masterclass and Coaching Conference, taking place in Aruba from May 1 to 3. The gathering is being organized jointly by the Aruba Paralympic Committee, the Caribbean Adaptive Sports Alliance, Aruba’s government, the Americas Paralympic Committee, and its commercial division, Americas Parasports.

Conference chair and Aruba Paralympic Committee secretary general Shardea Arias-Croes praised Atkinson’s contributions to sport and her influence on young athletes, calling her a model of excellence and leadership well suited to motivate attendees. Americas Paralympic Committee Vice-President Christopher Samuda offered similar praise, highlighting her humility and her pioneering achievements at the Olympic and World Championship levels. He suggested that despite her major accomplishments, Atkinson has stayed “down to earth and grounded.”

Jamaica will also be represented at the event by local Paralympic director Andrea Murray. The conference has drawn senior figures from organizations including UNESCO and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, alongside executives from various tourism, academic, and sporting partners. Planned sessions will cover topics such as leadership and innovation, athlete safeguarding and well-being, and coaching education in para swimming and athletics.

SOURCE: Jamaica Observer