track to the 1992 Games, via a sport unfamiliar to the Island.

"I used to be one of those people who said Bermuda had nothing to offer,'' Mr. Simon Payne told Hamilton Rotarians. "But to coin a phrase, `It is not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country'. Every young person has the ability to succeed in whatever they want to do, provided they set realistic goals.'' The 27-year-old made local and international headlines when he participated in the luge competition in the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France, placing 30th out of 34 sliders.

The sport is regarded as one of the most dangerous in the Olympics, requiring racers to hurtle down an ice track on their backs at sleds of up to 140 k.p.h.

Mr. Payne said he became interested in racing after he volunteered to join a luge training camp while stationed in Germany with the British Army 1985.

"I figured by the time I got back I would have another two weeks from guard duty,'' he said.

The Bermudian was one of the few at the two-week camp who made it to the bottom of the luge track the first time. He became hooked almost immediately.

"The first thing I wanted to do was to do it again,'' he said.

Mr. Payne said he decided to enter the sport seriously and joined with the New Zealand Luge Federation.

In his third year, he was able to compete successfully from the men's start on all tracks, rather than at the middle -- a feat which normally takes six to eight years.

He said at the games at La Plagne, he was only allowed eight runs a day before the actual competition but they proved invaluable in getting used to the track.

The athlete said the race was made more difficult by the fact that two race runs were held on two days rather than one as he was used to with World Cup competitions. He said he would relax, the best state to be in when competing, by walking through the crowd and talking with his wife, Maria.

"I've earned enough points to put me 24th in the World Cup Circuit,'' he said. "I've made many friends through this sport.'' Mr. Payne then urged young Bermudians to "travel ... You can never learn enough,'' he said. "And it will serve you in good stead should you ever decide to make your home permanent in Bermuda.'' Mr. Simon Payne.