This year’s Carifta Games team will be about the same size as last year by the time selection is finalised next month.

Thirteen athletes brought back five medals from Martinique and similar success is expected when the team travels to St Kitts and Nevis for the April 4 to 6 Games. The athletes have qualified in the two events in which Bermuda seems to be strongest, jumping and middle distance running, after four more athletes reached qualifying marks during the weekend’s two-day meet.

This could create a dilemma for the Bermuda National Athletic Association, however, as three athletes have qualified in the boys under-18 800 metres, and the girls’ under-18 high jump, with only two allowed to represent each country. Michiah Robinson, David Darrell and Aaron Jacobs all qualified for the 800m at the weekend, while Azaire Smith joined Sakari Famous and Mikayla Wilson in reaching the mark for the high jump.

“Unfortunately we have some events where three athletes have qualified and we can only take two,” Donna Watson, the BNAA president, said. “One of those athletes will be able to participate in another event so they still may get to go, however, in an event where they only do one event, it could be difficult for us.

“With the high jumpers they only do that one event, but in the 800m the guys do 800m and 1,500m or 800m and 400m. At the end of the day it will be the top two times [or heights] that will definitely go.”

Dage Minors has “aged-out” and won’t be eligible, leaving the other medallists Kyrah Scraders, Sakari Famous and Jah-Nhai Perinchief to lead the bid for gold. Tiara DeRosa has qualified in the under-18 girls shot put.

Scraders, who won gold in the 800m and the silver in the 1,500m, has yet to hit the 800m qualifying mark, but Watson said her pedigree means she “kind of gets a pass.

“I’m not fussed about Kyrah because she’ll give you 100 per cent,” Watson said.

Athletes will get at least three more opportunities to reach the qualifying mark, with a meet scheduled for March 7, followed by the senior schools track and field championships and the final Carifta trial on three successive days from March 12-14.

“Sometimes when it comes down to the wire, and we have a couple of athletes who are really close, we’ll put on an event on a Wednesday night or Thursday night to give them more opportunities to qualify,” Watson said.

With several athletes getting close to making the qualifying standard, Watson is keen to give them all as many chances as possible to qualify.

“Ethan Philip is a couple of centimetres from qualifying in the long jump, Elisha Miller is jumping 1.85 and the qualifying mark is 1.90 [in high jump] so he keeps just missing it. Then there is Kionje Somner knocking on the door in the 200m and 400m and another young boy, Tahje Taylor, who is close in the 200m and 100m also.”

Watson, however, is clear on one thing, sentiment will play no part in the selection, and if athletes fail to reach the required standard they simply will not be selected.

Organisers of the Telford Electric Mile are hoping for over 900 competitors at Saturday’s 20th event at the National Stadium. Up to yesterday’s deadline over 800 youngsters had signed up for the popular junior races which start at noon.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary an 800 metre ‘celebration race’ involving past participants of the Mile will be held. As well, there will be 200 and 400 metre races and high jump for athletes aiming to reach the qualifying standards for the Carifta Games.

Race numbers for Mile participants can be collected between 8.30 and 11am on race day at the National Sports Centre cricket pavilion.