Alia Atkinson tapped as featured speaker for Women in Sport conference in Aruba

Jamaican Olympian Alia Atkinson has been named a guest speaker at the Women in Sport Americas International Masterclass and Coaching Conference, set to run from May 1 to 3 in Aruba.

The three-day gathering is being staged under the auspices of the Aruba Paralympic Committee (APC), the Caribbean Adaptive Sports Alliance (CASA), the Government of Aruba (GOA), the Americas Paralympic Committee (AmPC) and its commercial arm, Americas Parasports.

Atkinson, whose swimming career has earned her acclaim on the world stage, is regarded as a captivating presenter with a distinctive delivery that connects with a wide range of audiences.

Conference chairperson and APC secretary general Shardea Arias-Croes praised the swimmer's selection, calling her "an Olympian and world-class swimmer whose dedication to advancing sport and empowering young athletes have made a lasting impact across the Caribbean and the global sporting community and whose journey exemplifies excellence, resilience, and leadership — qualities that make her an exceptional role model and an ideal figure to inspire the participants of this initiative."

AmPC Vice-President Christopher Samuda offered a similar endorsement. "Alia inspires with the integrity of her advocacy and delivery. She inspires with her humility and amiability. She inspires as she is a trailblazer in sport at the Olympic and World Championship levels, a feat that is arguably unparalleled by any woman in Jamaica's modern sporting history. Women in the sporting fraternity will be inspired," Samuda said.

Though Atkinson has stepped away from competition, Samuda suggested she has lost none of her standing. "Alia is Alia, down to earth and grounded despite her stratospheric achievements," he remarked.

Jamaica will be represented at the conference by local Paralympic director Andrea Murray. The programme has drawn senior figures from UNESCO and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), along with executives from partner bodies including the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHTA), Thrive Academy Aruba (TAA) and the Paralympic and Olympic movements across the Americas and the Caribbean.

Sessions over the three days will cover topics such as leadership development and innovation, safeguarding and athlete welfare, and coaching and education in para swimming and athletics.