the rights to air the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Yesterday, the Bermuda Broadcasting Company announced that it had "successfully secured the exclusive rights to broadcast and distribute television and radio coverage of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.'' VSB TV 11, meanwhile, has been actively promoting itself as the "Olympic Station,'' planning to telecast the Atlanta games through its affiliation with the American network NBC.

In a news release, BBC chief executive officer Mr. Rick Richardson said his company had secured the rights through its membership in the Caribbean Broadcasting Union.

Mr. Richardson "expected to have talks with other entities interested in televising the extensive games coverage,'' which should "guarantee that Bermuda will receive the kind of coverage the sports fan received during the last football World Cup in the US.'' VSB had no immediate official comment. A station official said VSB maintained that it had the exclusive rights to broadcast the Olympics, and the station would make a statement today.

But in an interview, Mr. Richardson said having delivery of the games coverage through NBC and having the rights to broadcast the games were two different things.

"We would certainly flex some legal muscles if this were challenged, but the CBU (Caribbean Broadcasting Union) would do that first,'' Mr. Richardson said.

"They have a legal arm, and they would call on the legal arm of the Olympic Committee.

"It's not our baby after that. We want to protect our interests, but we would simply report (to the CBU).'' Mr. Richardson released a copy of a letter to him from CBU secretary general Mr. Leo de Leon, which states: "The agreement is with IOE and ACOG and grants exclusively to the CBU, the rights to broadcast and distribute through the membership region, the radio and television coverage of the Olympic Summer Games.

"This right covers distribution, relay, and broadcasting by any means relevant, and includes cable and satellite distribution to, and in the region.

"As a full member in good standing, and as a subscribing member to the Olympics '96 Project, Bermuda Broadcasting Company (ZBM) is included in the above rights, and will be entitled to exercise and protect them in Bermuda.'' Asked what "other entities'' he planned talks with about televising the games, Mr. Richardson cited Cablevision, and said he would "not rule out'' talks with VSB, either.

But both BBC and VSB could not have the rights to the games, he said.

"They would have to come through us for this particular jurisdiction.''