Kiera joins the elite
Kiera Aitken perhaps made the biggest splash in a still blossoming swimming career by being crowned Bermuda's Female Athlete of the Year at Fairmont Hamilton Princess last night.
Amid all the glamour and glitz of last night's award ceremony proudly stood the soft-spoken Dalhousie University student - who shone brightly flying the Island's colours at last summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece - as she took her rightful place among Bermuda's elite athletes.
And in winning the prestigious award for the first time, the 21-year-old backstroke specialist also put an end to Paula Lewin's vice-like stranglehold on the annual award, reserved only for the cream of the crop.
Aitken edged out Lewin and rising track and field star Zindzi Swan for the women's top award following an incredible 2004 swimming season in which she captured two gold medals in the 50 and 100 metre backstroke events at the Caribbean Swim Championships in Kingston, Jamaica while establishing three new national records in the process.
Then came the moment that perhaps defined the Bermudian's outstanding and memorable year, winning the 100 metre heat on the biggest stage there is, the Olympic Games in Athens, while also setting a new national record just for added measure.
“It was a great relief just to know that I had performed my best when it most mattered,” said a very composed Aitken, as she firmly grasped the fruits of last year's labour in her arms.
“And I was happy with that because I knew I was prepared and could go out there and swim my best time. But being around some of the best swimmers in the world was also pretty neat and I'm extremely happy to have been recognised and to get an award as this. It's probably one of the biggest awards I've ever received. And it's very exciting to be recognised and honoured in this manner.”
Aitken described competing at last summer's Olympics in Athens as “a dream come true”. And it is a dream she hopes to relive in another four years time in Beijing, China.
“Going to the Olympics was a big dream of mine but now I'm looking forward to going to the Commonwealth Games in 2006 (next March in Melbourne) and my major goal is to work toward the next Olympic Games in 2008,” she added.
“I've been training very hard in Canada during the University season and it's been pretty good. But I think I'll take a little break after that which will be my first break since the Olympics.”
But whenever Aitken decides to take the big plunge again, you can rest assured it won't be for fun or games.
“I want to continue on working up the ranks,” she said. “Then when it comes time for the next Olympics hopefully I can do more than just win my heat. Hopefully I'll be right up there competing amongst the best swimmers.”
Meanwhile, last night also saw several other local female athletes bask in the limelight.
Aitken's fellow Bermudian Olympians, Katura Horton-Perinchief and Lewin, received Achievement Awards along with rising track star, Swan.
Former Bermuda national bowling team captain Joan Hollis was the proud recipient of a Sports Citation for numerous outstanding achievements during a highly distinguished bowling career - both on local soil and on the international stage.