Alia Atkinson swims during training at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow on Tuesday. - Ricardo Makyn

GLASGOW, Scotland:

It's her third time competing at the Commonwealth Games but Jamaican swimming star Alia Atkinson has never had higher ambitions, or for that matter, expectations.

Twice she's been on this stage before, and twice the main target was a place in a final.

This time around, after a couple of years of really impressive performances and ever-increasing regard on the international swimming circuit, Jamaica's runner-up sportswoman of the year can only be satisfied with a podium finish at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

best year in the sport

Atkinson is coming off what is probably her best year in the sport, lowering two national records and winning 10 races on the Grand Prix circuit. It's this success against the world's best that has made her a medal favourite.

"I'm extremely proud but at the same time I am amazed by myself and as the years go by, I seem to be getting better and better," Atkinson said shortly after a training session at the competition venue at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow.

"I have been to two Commonwealth Games and the best I got was about eight place, so coming in here and hoping to be in medal contention in multiple events, I'm extremely happy," she added.

Atkinson, who is tied with her namesake Janelle Atkinson(no relation) as the best placed Jamaican swimmers at the Olympic Games after her fourth-place finish in the 100m breaststroke in London, is clear about what she hopes and expects to accomplish.

Commonwealth objectives

"My objectives were completely different at the last two Commonwealth Games. Back then, it was just about getting to finals," she said.

"I think I had a mind-switch after college that I would dedicate the rest of that time up to London 2012, which was two years, just to swimming and with succeeding in 2012, my confidence and dedication grew and I started to believe in the fact that I could be where I wanted to be," Atkinson explained.

Atkinson will compete in the 50m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke and 200m breaststroke events with competition in the 50 breaststroke set to start today at 11:38am (5:38am Jamaica time).