Atkinson qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics in the 800 m middle distance race with a universality placement. Atkinson broke a record that stood for 22 years, with a time of 2:18.53. Her personal best prior to this was 2:21.30. There were five runners in her heat, and she was as high as second place at the end of the first lap. Her competitors pulled ahead, and she finished last in her heat, failing to advance to the semifinals.