Minister of Sports Dale Butler?s recent castigation of Bermuda Track and Field Association?s (BTFA) directorship and his labelling of them as ?sports terrorists? has triggered Judy Simmons? resignation as chairman of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) council.

?Yes it did, very much so,? declared the BTFA president, confirming her decision to relinquish leadership of the governmental body was a result of the minister?s comments at the height of chaos over Bermuda International Race Weekend?s temporary cancellation.

?I am volunteering my time. This is not a paid position and neither is Bermuda Track and Field Association.

?This (ADR) was a ministry initiative and I was on the steering committee and asked to chair it from its inception in 2001. So if this (sports terrorist) is the label I have now I don?t think that?s the type of person who should be chairing that committee,? continued Simmons.

However, the BTFA head is confident she can maintain decent relations with Butler and his ministry.

?I am a professional, despite what I have been called, and when I have to deal with the Department of Youth and Sport and the minister I will deal with them.

?I can?t speak for the minister. I didn?t start this. I didn?t call myself a sports terrorist. I got called one. I don?t know how he will react. That?s something you will have to ask him.?

Defending her absence during the Race Weekend crisis, she insisted that she did not shirk her responsibility, adding that she need not have been here when BTFA announced it was cancelling the 2005 edition of the popular running series.

?I have a life. We were invited to a family wedding a year-and-a-half ago so it wasn?t like I was ducking (out of) Bermuda because the announcement was going to be made,? said the athletics chief.

?That?s the insinuation that came over ? that I wasn?t even here. Well I?m not supposed to be here every time. We have five directors and, if a decision is made, it means the majority rules so whether I have to go to a family wedding or not is immaterial and I was definitely not ducking anything.

?I have a life and everything that I?m doing for the community is free whether it?s criticised by people or not. I don?t see the thanks when we do a good job.?

Though Race Weekend has only been bailed out for next year by Government and philanthropist David Barber, Simmons is not worried about the event?s longevity, surmising that the near cancellation has alerted the public to just how beneficial the three-day series is to the Island economically.

?I don?t think we will have problems again. I think people should realise that (the importance) and be willing to help out,? she said, disclosing that Race Weekend?s financial woes date back to 1999.

As for her announcement in April that she would no longer be involved with the January classic ? a statement she has now rescinded ? Simmons explained it had ?nothing to do with whether we were going to have Race Weekend or not? but rather the fact that she was ?exhausted? after this year?s Race Weekend and the Carifta Games in Easter.

?I will definitely be there. Not that I will be out front but I will be there making sure that whatever knowledge I have is passed on which is only what a leader should do,? she said, underlining her commitment to Race Weekend 2005.

?There are a lot of things that only I do. We have been so short of administrative assistance that we haven?t had people to work with me to learn what I do so that this can carry on.?

Simmons ? who in keeping with the association?s constitution ? steps down as BTFA president next year, declined to discuss reports that she has been canvassing support within the NACAC (North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association) region for a nomination to run for membership of the International Association of Athletics Federations? (IAAF) council.

However, reliable sources indicated that, while at the Athens Olympics, Simmons sought backing from NACAC members as well as those in the wider athletics fraternity whose votes she would ultimately need if nominated by NACAC next year.

?I?m not saying anything about that. I?ll talk about it later but not at this time...when I am ready to tell you I will tell you,? said Simmons, clearly not wanting to divulge more on the subject.

?If it?s going to come out like ?She doesn?t handle BTFA but she is going to the IAAF? I don?t want to see it (in the papers) because right now I?m at the point that if anybody says anything wrong I?m going at them at the jugular.

?I?m telling you like it is, right now. This is no more fun and games. They have had their picks at me. I?ve had enough of it, okay.?