opinion that he travelled to the CAC Cross-Country Championships in Curacao last week while nursing an injury.

He said that this was untrue and fuelled by inaccurate reports stating that he had "picked up an injury and pulled out of'' a BTFA event just prior to going to the championships.

"Everybody's been asking me why I would go away if I was injured like I was just taking a free trip,'' said Smith, who also failed to finish the 12-K race in Curacao.

"The only reason I pulled out(of the local race) was because the ligament in my ankle is still weak from when I sprained it in May.

"And although there is no problem with it running on flat, even surfaces, with the beach being uneven and rolling I said why take the risk of further damage.

"I'm not injured...in fact I'm probably in the best shape of my life right now.'' On his failure at the Caribbean meet Smith said that he simply "hit a wall'' and hinted at the possibility of this being caused by his ingestion of some form of new energy supplement prior to the start.

"I went out and felt really great at the start. The pace was ideal and everything, but then all of a sudden, about 10 minutes into the race, my body shut down. It just went empty.'' Smith had earned the right to represent Bermuda along with Tracy Wright, Anna Eatherley and Jennifer Fisher through a string of fine results during the domestic cross-country series.

He remained undaunted by his experience overseas and stated that all of these events are just a part of his build-up for the ultimate challenge of competing in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

"My coach and I are building a foundation for that (Olympics) and thus all my training is geared toward achieving that goal,'' said Smith. "Right now I'm putting less emphasis on whether I place first, second or third but rather on getting prepared for Atlanta in '96.

"I'm incorporating a lot of new things in my training right now and seeking to find out what is going to get me to that next level to allow me to enter a new plateau.'' At 25 years old, Smith said he feels that he is at his prime and Atlanta would represent his last shot at Olympic glory.

However, he is still not sure where his talents would be better utilised, whether he has enough speed for the 1,500 metres or endurance for the 5,000 or 10,000. He said that right now his preference lies with the 10,000 but in the next breath hinted at the marathon.

An indication for Smith will come in January during International Race Weekend when he attempts to tackle three races in three days. He will first test his mettle against the milers when he lines up for the Bank of Butterfield Elite Mile and will follow this with the ADT Bermuda 10-K on Saturday and the ADT Bermuda Marathon on Sunday.

Said Smith: "I'm going to be asking my body to continually get up and produce (on consecutive days). It's dangerous but I have to go through it.

"It literally takes blood to do this but I have to go and find out my limit and see how much stress I can take both mentally and physically.

"I was frustrated more than anybody down in Curacao and I'm looking forward to my next race so that I can conquer these mental barriers.'' Smith and coach/trainer Duncan Newby have set up a 25-step programme with the runner currently at step five and the last one being Atlanta in 1996.

"I feel confident that I'm heading to the top. There's going to be great times and bad times but I'll get there.'' KAVIN SMITH -- In early stages of 25-step plan that he hopes will end at 1996 Olympics.