Atkinson

Guadalajara, Mexico:

In a desperately close finish, Jamaica's Alia Atkinson lost out on a bronze medal by fifteen hundredths of a second in the women's 100 metres breaststroke final at the XVI Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, last night.

Atkinson, who went to the final at the Scotiabank Aquatic Centre with the third-fastest time, a national record 1.09.28, led for much of the way but was relegated to fourth in the last 10 metres. In fact, inches separated third and fourth and it was so close that to the naked eye it appeared Atkinson had touched the line in time for the bronze medal.

Close to tears after the event, a very disappointed Atkinson said her race plan was to go out fast and hold on but it did not work.

"I have no words," she said in a voice which was barely audible. "My plan was to go out fast and then hold it coming back and I just could not," Atkinson who had a 0.59 second lead at half way said.

Her fourth-place time was a national record 1.09.11, beating the 1.09.28 she did earlier yesterday morning in the preliminaries. It was her fourth consecutive national record in four swims at the Games.

Manager Allan Marsh was as disappointed as the swimmer. A bronze, at least, would have been Jamaica's first in swimming at the Games since Janelle Atkinson won a trio of silver medals in the women's 200m, 400m and 800 metre freestyle events medals at Winnipeg, Canada.

"She worked hard, really hard and lost the medal by fifteen hundredths of a second," Marsh, a former national swimmer, said.

"It was so close you can't tell the difference with the naked eye. She swam a really good race. The good thing about Alia is that she is developing and getting more and more competitive at the big meets. She is in medal contention all the time now which is good. This is all part of the experience."

Americans swept the top two medals with Catherine Chandler taking gold in 1.07.90, her compatriot Ashley Wanland was second in 1:08.55 and Canada's Ashley McGregor, third in 1.0.8.96.

In beach volleyball, Jamaica's pair of Dellan Brown and Namari Gordon lost their opening encounter 21-11, 21-13 to Puerto Ruco's Luis Rodriquez and Underwood in a men's preliminary Pool C match at Puerto Vallarta. They will play their second game today.