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Allan Marsh, the manager of Jamaica's swim team to the October 14-30 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico is expecting a good show from his three competitors. Jamaica will be represented in Mexico by three female swimmers - Alia Atkinson, a two-time Olympian, British-based Zara Bailey, and United States-based Kendese Nangle. The last two swimmers will be competing at this level for the first time.
Marsh is especially optimistic about the chances of the very experienced 22-year-old Atkinson who is also based in the United States and will be attending her second Pan American Games.
"Alia (Atkinson) is very focused. This is her meet for the year as she opted out of the World Championships so that she would be ready for this meet, and she travelled to Mexico from as early as September 30 to become fully acclimatised to the high altitude (5,138 feet above sea level). This is an Olympic qualifying meet so she will be looking to achieve a qualifying time (for London 2012). I think she will be in contention for a medal in the 100 metres breaststroke," Marsh, a finalist in the 100m and 200m backstroke in the 1983 Games in Caracas, Venezuela said.
Atkinson, holder of seven national swim records, is down to compete in four events at the Games - 100 metres breaststroke, 200m breaststroke, 100m butterfly, and 200m individual medley. She is the national record holder for all four events. In addition to competing at two Olympic and two Pan Am Games, Atkinson has also worn national colours at the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Marsh also expects 15-year-old Bailey, who will compete in the 200m and 400m individual medley events, to reach at least one final.
"This is her first big meet. She performed well at the English national championships so she should do well, especially in the 400m individual medley," Marsh said. Bailey placed fifth in the 200m individual medley and sixth in the 400m individual medley at the English national championships. She is a member of the City of Peterborough Swimming Club.
Nangle, 17, and a national record holder in the 50m backstroke, should gain a lot from the experience. She is entered for the 100m freestyle, 100m backstroke, and 200m backstroke.
Bailey, due in Mexico today, will be the first swimmer to see action. She will go in the 400m individual medley on Saturday's first day of competition following Friday night's opening ceremony. Atkinson will also be in action on Saturday in the women's 100 metres butterfly.
Marsh, who will fly to Mexico on Thursday, thinks the traditional powerhouses of the region will again dominate the swimming competition at the Games, pointing to the United States, Canada, hosts Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela.
The United States won 41 medals in swimming four years ago in Rio de Janeiro. Hosts Brazil were next with 26, and Canada third on 18. Jamaica failed to win a medal in the pool.
Alia Atkinson ... winning the women's 200m breaststroke at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, last year. - file
