triumph and tragedy.

While Peter Bromby and Lee White's rousing finish to the Star Class regatta exceeded all expectations, their success was tempered by the shocking death a week earlier of equestrienne MJ Tumbridge's mount Bermuda's Gold.

The sailors' expressions of sheer delight at having beaten some of the best in the world came in stark contrast to the abject pain etched across the face of Tumbridge on realisation that the horse she had owned and ridden for more than 10 years would have to be put down.

These will be the lasting memories of Sydney 2000.

In between, Bermuda did little to make its presence felt.

And, given the Island's size and lack of resources, some might say it was unrealistic to expect any more. But was it? Sports Minister Dennis Lister, during his two week tour around Sydney, will surely have seen another side of international sport.

Olympic medals don't come cheaply. Those countries serious about getting their athletes on the victory dais realise that raw talent is only a small part of the equation. That talent needs to be supplemented with sound preparation, administrative support and, not least, financial backing -- ingredients often lacking back home.

Among those listed on the final medal table in Sydney were Bahamas, Barbados and Jamaica -- all larger islands than Bermuda. But while bigger, are they really that much better? If tiny Bahamas -- population 300,000 -- can produce a gold-winning 4x100 women's relay team -- four girls who left superstar Marion Jones and her US compatriots in their wake -- can't Bermuda have similar aspirations? Government and Bermuda Olympic Association might argue that our best athletes are already given funds from an elite fund, and that's all we can afford. But clearly, our results here show it isn't enough.

If Bermuda wants to be competitive on the international stage, and most would agree that sport is an integral part of island life, then more has to be done.

British sailor Shirley Robertson, gold medallist in the Europe dinghies -- the same class in which Bermuda's Sara Lane Wright placed third from last -- made a telling comment when asked how she had improved so much since the Atlanta Games four years earlier and why the Brits had suddenly become a sailing force. They picked up three gold and two silver at these Games.

"Money,'' said Robertson. "It's as simple as that.'' "Since Atlanta, sailing has been allocated funds from the national lottery and it's made all the difference. We haven't had to scrimp and save to compete overseas, we've been allowed to train as a team together, we've been able to help each other. Those funds have turned losers into winners.'' Lottery? The very suggestion would spark heated debate in Bermuda. To some it's still a dirty word.

But Britain isn't the only country reaping the benefits of such a scheme. A number of others are also deriving financial assistance in the same manner.

If Government can afford no more and corporate Bermuda remains unwilling to assist our Olympians, then a lottery might be an option worth considering.

Otherwise performances such as Bromby and White's will remain few and far between and Bermuda will continue to be a country of sporting also-rans.

-- ADRIAN ROBSON