ALANA Burns-Atkin’s disappointment after the Irish National Open swimming championships quickly turned to euphoria as the accountancy student has been selected to compete at her first Commonwealth Games as part of the women’s 4×100 metre relay team in Glasgow this summer.
The Banbridge swimmer has won multiple Irish titles and recently broke the Ulster Senior record in the 100m fly.
“It feels incredible to be selected for the Commonwealth Games and I’m really excited. I missed out on the qualification time, but I always had hopes for the relay so I’m really excited to be going to Glasgow it is going to be amazing,” said Burns-Atkin.
“I was a bit surreal to receive the confirmation email, and I have just had a big smile and haven’t stopped smiling, it seems a bit surreal but I’m just super happy.
“I definitely think it is one of the strongest relays Team NI has had especially because the other three girls got their own individual qualification times.
“I’m just looking forward to the whole experience. I remember from the Youth Commonwealth Games in 2023 I had such a good time.
“I actually feel a bit of pressure to perform well and make sure I get in a good take over and a good strong leg.
“I’m feeling strong and feeling fast and I think it will be a good strong race.”
Burns-Atkin’s journey in swimming didn’t start in a conventional way.
“I actually didn’t want to try out for a club, I only tried out because my mum made me try out with my sister because she really wanted to,” Alana relates.
“Since I did the trials, I joined a club and just stuck at it and have never wanted to stop, I tried out when I was eight so that’s about 12 years ago now, it’s been a long time.”
There is plenty of work to be done with hitting the books and hitting the pool before Glasgow.
“It can be quite a lot to balance sometimes especially when you are just wakening, up going to the pool, going to university and then back to the pool,” Alana adds.
“It can be hard to manage everything, I have done it for a long time now, I’ve been at uni for two years now, so I have got used to it, I’ve just got to make sure it get to bed early.
“During the school year I try and prioritise swimming as much as I can. Last week was my exams so I have had to step back from the swimming a bit just to make sure I do well in the exams and get the grades I want.”
Burns-Atkin’s also explained the nuances of the relay.
“We haven’t put any practice in as a whole team yet, Lottie (Cullen) and me train together so we know what each other’s swim is like and things like that, so I guess that is why we are going to training camp at the end of June and that is where we’ll do a lot of relay and take over practice.
“The relay can be very difficult and very high pressure, everyone wants to make sure they don’t disappoint the team.
“Everyone is trying to focus on their own individual part and just doing their best in that situation For me that is making sure that I don’t go early, get a good take over, make sure I finish strong and touch the wall with both hands so I don’t muck up Grace’s (Davison) take over.”
