Alia departs with words of wisdom

Olympian Alia Atkinson may not have had the end to her career she wanted but signed off with words of inspiration to her followers.

Atkinson, 33, finished fourth in the women's 100m breaststroke final at the World Short Course Swimming Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, yesterday.

However, despite the result not going to plan, her social media activity after the race suggested she was in good spirits.

"Not the meet I hoped for but I am happy to say I finished every ounce of swimming talent God gave me, the bottle empty," Atkinson posted on Instagram yesterday. "Many times I wanted to quit or give up, but I saw it through to the end."

Atkinson, who said after competing at the Tokyo Olympics last summer, that she will now be focusing on mentoring children through books, describes her career as a "roller coaster of fun and not so fun memories," but had words of wisdom for her fans.

"Always remember to make fun memories, they don't make themselves," she said. "Take nothing for granted and enjoy each step, both the good and the challenging.

"Let go of the negatives of the day.

"Your best changes daily, so do the best you can on that day!"

Atkinson, the holder of the 50m and 100m short course breaststroke world records, also reflected on that legacy.

"Fun fact: I get to retire with my two world records in tact," she said. "That's something I never thought would happen and this last race reminded [me] just how remarkable my career was.

"Swimmer Alia, you were truly a beast. Congratulations and enjoy your well deserved rest.

"Many many thanks to all that have supported me, cheered for me and followed me these past (decades). It meant a lot."