While he has not yet achieved anywhere near the success of Clarance (Nicky) Saunders, Brian Wellman or Troy Douglas, sprinter Calvin Simons, 27, feels that his major breakthrough in track and field is coming -- and that it is probably closer than anyone thinks.

Simons yesterday traveled to Gainesville with his wife Anika and with lots of confidence and a burning desire to turn in personal best performances in his two events, the 100 and 400 metres.

He does not hide his enthusiasm nor his optimism and one can only be impressed with the high expectations he has going into the relays.

"I'm in excellent shape, probably the best ever, and I am looking to break some records,'' said Simons.

He claims that his confidence is high because during the last six months he has finally managed to overcome various injuries that have plagued him, and his physical condition is the best ever.

Simons also noted that previous problems like nagging foot injuries helped to severely hamper his progress, but now believes that being free from such ailments has given him justified optimism and renewed confidence.

Unlike many other local athletes, Simons has not had that much international experience having competed only in the Atlantic Coast Games in 1988 and followed that up when he visited England last year to train and compete in a few meets in that country.

Although he has not been as active as he would have liked during the past five years, Simons now contends that he is ready to tackle his goals -- which include earning Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games status.

"One of my immediate goals is to enjoy track and field as much as possible and to be a role model so that I can train and be in continued touch with the youngsters who are involved in the various programmes on the island,'' he said.

"One of my short-term goals is to qualify for the Commonwealth Games while a long-term goal of course is the ultimate, the Olympic Games. But I admit that I have a lot of work to do,'' he noted.

Simons' personal best in both of his specialities came two years ago when he had a time of 11 seconds in the 100 metres and 50 seconds in the 400 metres.

He is proud of the training schedule he is on, one that has been carefully managed by his personal sprint coach policeman Mackinley Erstee. Steve Burgess is his endurance coach while Cliff Looby is his weight-lifting coach.

Simons has set himself on a productive course and is grateful to his employers at Air Care who will enable him to travel this week and again on April 5 to another track and field meet at Duke University.

CALVIN SIMONS -- Sprinter has managed to overcome injuries, and surrounding doubts regarding his athletics career.