National swimming sensation and Olympian, Alia Atkinson will receive an order of distinction in the rank of commander later this year.

This for outstanding representation for Jamaica in the field of swimming and being the first black woman to win a world championships title.

Atkinson who recently returned from Colombia at the CAC games where she splashed up five medals, three gold and five bronze.

The 29-year-old made swimming history in 2014 when she became the first black woman to win a world swimming title, when she won the women’s 100metres breaststroke, at the world short-course championships in Doha, Qatar.

The award is to be presented on Jamaica’s heroes’ day on October 15.