elected to the Bermuda Olympic Association he says he won't become one.

The two-time Olympian is running against another sailor, Jay Kempe, and former swimmer Jenny Smatt for chairman of the Athletes Commission, a new executive position on the board of the BOA.

The three, nominated by Bermuda's Olympians of the past two years, met Mike Cherry, chairman of the BOA's technical committee, on Monday night and again last night to try and hammer out a consensus choice to put before tonight's BOA annual general meeting.

Of the three, Bromby is probably the best known -- and most incongruous.

"I'm not a yes man,'' Bromby said yesterday, laughing self-effacingly at his own reputation for bluntness.

Kempe and Smatt, both university-educated, wrapped up their careers before the 1996 Games. Bromby competed with them at the 1992 Barcelona Games then teamed up with crew Lee White to finish 13th in Atlanta in Star class sailng.

The Stars were recently dropped from the agenda for the 2000 Games and Bromby hasn't decided if he will attempt to qualify in another class.

"I've got some time on my hands now,'' he joked -- although he still plans on competing in events such as the Pan American Games.

That extra time, his own beliefs and urging from other Olympians prompted him to take a run at the BOA post, a four-year term that is basically a liaison between Bermuda's Olympians and their association.

Bromby thinks an athlete's voice on the BOA has been a long time coming.

Bridging the "communication problem'' and getting issues resolved "more swiftly'' is the biggest challenge facing whichever nominee takes on the chairmanship -- even if it means ruffling a few feathers along the way.

"I've been around,'' said Bromby. "I'm still going to call it as I see it and I like to think that's the reason people are behind me.'' Nominees to head the Athletes Commission were nominated and voted on by Olympic athletes -- about 20 in all -- of the past five years. Paula Lewin, another Atlanta sailor, confirmed she was one of those voting for Bromby.

Kempe and Smatt could not be reached yesterday.

THREE'S COMPANY -- Jenny Smatt, seen here competing in the Commonwealth Games two years ago, is running against sailors Peter Bromby (top right) and Jay Kempe for chairman of the Bermuda Olympic Association's Athletes Commission.