BERLIN, Germany — Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ) aquatics Coach Marissa Hayman says the support offered by iconic Jamaican retired swimmer Alia Atkinson has boosted the morale of the team at the World Games.

On Monday, Atkinson was at Europasportpark (SSE) in Berlin to cheer on the Jamaican swimmers in the pool. She also presented gear to team members.

“Jamaica’s world swim championship medallist Alia Atkinson had words of encouragement…and the athletes were super thrilled to see her, knowing that they have the support of our very own five-time Olympian with them in Berlin,” Hayman told the Jamaica Observer.

“Alia expressed how proud she is of their performances so far and shared tips with them. It’s truly an honour to have her here supporting the team and they can’t wait to showcase their skills and make her proud.”

Atkinson made her first Olympic Games appearance in 2004 at age 15 and had been Jamaica’s and the Caribbean’s standard-bearer in swimming until retiring recently.

The 34-year-old Atkinson, a Special Olympics champion ambassador, said the Jamaican swimmers to the Berlin 2023 Games are an inspiration.

“For the Jamaican delegation [competing] in swimming, I really want to just say thank you for inspiring so many.

“I know it is difficult some days, I know it’s hard, but keep up the dream, keep on fighting and you will achieve anything you put your mind to. So, keep on fighting and fulfill that Jamaican dream,” said the former swimming star, who, in 2014, became the first black woman to win a world swimming title.

On Monday, SO Jamaica’s Kadian Ingleton, who clocked 41:55.9, missed a medal when she placed fourth in the women’s F02 1,500m open water swim meet final at Grünau.

The event was won by Germany’s Patrizia Spaulding (34:34.7), with Stephanie Barrera Acosta (35:32.4) of Puerto Rico and Anita Greco (37:15.4) of Italy finishing second and third, respectively.

Ingleton, 33, a multiple medal winner at previous Special Olympics World Games, was not disappointed.

“I feel much better, I improved in my time. I know I went out there and did my best and I just put out 100 per cent, so I am proud of myself,” she said after the race.

The other members of the aquatics team — swimmers Tasheanna Bailey, Andrew McIntosh and Andrew Bartholomew — have also put in strong performances despite not winning any medal as yet.

Hayman had special praise for McIntosh after he placed sixth in 50m breaststroke on Tuesday.

“I’m very proud of the aquatics team’s performance thus far. Today, our youngest athlete, Andrew McIntosh, who is 18, competed in Level A 50m breaststroke.

“Due to technical issues beyond our control, he was placed in a very competitive division, with swimmers with much faster times. But despite that, he performed up to par with his competitors, so we are extremely proud of him,” she explained.

Aside from aquatics, the Jamaicans are competing in athletics, badminton, women’s and men’s seven-a-side football and volleyball at the Berlin 2023 Games.