ARROGANCE or ignorance? Or both?

It's difficult to know what to make of statements attributed to Bermuda Track and Field Association this week over their decision not to send a team to this summer's Small Island Games.

What is known is that there are numerous athletes who would have gladly grabbed the opportunity to represent their country at an event where for once they could compete on a level playing field.

The whole concept of the event, much like cycling's World B Championships at which Bermuda has been enormously successful, is to offer small countries international competition at a second tier level - a level at which they can be competitive, unlike the Olympics, Commonwealth or Pan-Am Games.

Had Bermuda been successful at any of those major festivals in recent years, then one could perhaps understand BTFA president Judith Simmons' contention that this year's Small Island Games are beneath us.

Apart from Brian Wellman, Nicky Saunders and Troy Douglas, Bermuda have achieved next to nothing in track and field at the major Games for the last 20 years. Indeed, for the most part our athletes have been hopelessly outclassed.

Even at regional meets such as CAC and CARIFTA, we've struggled to make the podium.

Now with Wellman well past his best, Saunders retired and Douglas having 'defected' to Holland, Bermuda doesn't have a single track and field athlete who could make a serious challenge for medals on the world stage.

To suggest, as Simmons has, that standards at the Island Games are too low for Bermuda's competitors is arrant nonsense - an insult to all those who will compete in Guernsey this summer.

As it stands now Bermuda is sending a contingent of more than 100 sportsmen and women, representing cycling, triathlon, swimming, volleyball, table tennis, archery, badminton, basketball, gymnastics and sailing. And while some might be hopeful of returning with medals, it's highly doubtful that any seriously believe they will outclass their opponents or dominate their respective events.

There are plenty of islands of Bermuda's size who can boast an abundance of athletic talent.

Just last Sunday, Nick Despres, a visitor from Guernsey, entered the Evian 10-mile race and ran away to victory. It wasn't the fastest of winning times and Bermuda's two top runners, Kavin Smith and Jay Donawa were missing from the field.

But, nevertheless, it was a comfortable win and as Despres pointed out afterwards, he's by no means the best distance runner in Guernsey. Indeed, he's still unsure whether he'll be picked for a team of three which will represent his country at the half-marathon in June.

Despres' performance was perhaps the best indication yet that the Small Island Games will provide a standard at which Bermuda can be competitive without being over-confident.

Anybody who returns from Guernsey with a medal should be able to do so with their head held high - whether it be in track and field or any other sport.

In the interests of development - and that should be high on any governing body's agenda - the Island Games arguably are of more significance and importance to Bermuda than the Olympics, Pan-Ams and Commonwealths combined.

They should be viewed as a stepping stone to the major championships. If our top athletes can win in Guernsey, we can then strive for greater things. If we can't, we at least get a good idea of where we stand on the international ladder.

But, whatever the case, we certainly shouldn't be dismissing the Games as unworthy of our participation.