World Indoor gold medallist Brian Wellman has applauded the $45,000 cash awards programme recently instituted by the Bermuda Government.

But the triple jumper said it would not have influenced him to compete at the Pan-American Games in Argentina -- an event he was forced to withdraw from because of a nagging hamstring injury.

Speaking from his US base in Arkansas, Wellman said that there was no way he would have disobeyed doctor's orders to rest the injury after a hectic series of meets in Europe, ending with his triumph in Spain where he set the event's triple jump record with a leap of 58 feet, 13 inches, eclipsing the previous mark of 57 feet, 11 inches set by American ace Mike Conley.

"This programme sounds good, but it wouldn't have made any difference if it had been available earlier because the situation with me was that I hurt myself and it wouldn't have mattered if they were giving away a million dollars. It just wasn't a money issue, my health comes first,'' said Wellman.

When informed of the cash awards scheme, Wellman reacted positively and felt that it was not only a good idea but showed how the Island was becoming more keen to at last give its elite athletes support that was lacking in the past.

"We are indeed making strides in the right direction. There have been people doing things abroad with little help, now things seem to be looking up,'' he said.

"You saw this at the World Indoor Championships where Troy Douglas and I performed well at a top level. When I won the medal it was Brian Wellman of Bermuda... the country got the publicity just as much as I did,'' said Wellman.

He said the cash incentive was necessary, just as the elite fund that government has had in place for awhile is essential for the assistance of Bermuda's top athletes.

"It enables people like myself to get better professional assistance like massages, equipment and things of that nature that could end up being costly over a long period, things that are necessary to enable us to consistently perform at a high level.'' While noting that receiving medals was always a great honour, Wellman said that programmes like the ones instituted by government were helpful because it allowed athletes to better prepare themselves for top-level competition.

"The cash also helps in another important area, it helps to pay the bills.

Medals don't pay the electricity, food and other bills. We get them like everybody else.'' Wellman said that he was aware of the attention he and Douglas received from their spectacular success in Spain, overwhelmed and satisfied that they had finally received the recognition they deserved -- something that had been sorely lacking in the past.

"I heard a lot about the news reaching Bermuda and the positive response that the country gave was great, I really feel good about that. Now with the news of this cash incentive programme things are really looking up,'' said Wellman.

For someone who has often voiced criticism about the manner in which money from the elite fund is distributed, Wellman now seems content that the system is now functioning properly.

"I believe that the funds were there before for something like the incentive programme, but we just didn't have a system in place as such. This is new to everybody and I think we now have some system where an athlete is awarded additional help from their country,'' he said.

"It's always a step in the right direction when you can get behind the positive role models in your country. In Bermuda there are too many idle hands, you have to make (people) feel that all of this is worthwhile and that they (the athletes) are appreciated.'' Now that he has rested his hamstring for two weeks Wellman is eager to get his training regimen restarted for his next meet -- probably the one scheduled for El Paso, Texas on April 14.

"I want to see how it feels, this will be an outdoor meet and my first of the year,'' said Wellman.

Since there are few European meets featuring the triple jump this summer, Wellman may not compete there until August where the Outdoor Worlds will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden from August 5 to 15.

BRIAN WELLMAN -- Next meet is in Texas.