Island Games organisers have expressed disappointment tinged with a degree of understanding after learning of Bermuda's decision not to send track and field athletes to the event.

Bermuda Track and Field Association opted against travelling to Guernsey because, among several reasons, the organisation felt the standards were not high enough.

"Some of the records that have been set since 1989 or 1993 are not even comparable for our senior athletes who are trying to get to Worlds or Commonwealth Games or even CAC Seniors," BTFA president Judith Simmons told The Royal Gazette last month.

"The records (in the 100 metres) are like 10.70 seconds for the men . . . nothing that they would get from the Island Games - other than competing against other people - would help prepare them for meets that would put them up where they need to be."

Simmons also blamed a commitment to IAAF-sanctioned meets and a lack of funds for the organisation's non-involvement in the Games, which will see 23 nations with populations of 125,000 or less competing in 15 sports.

Roy Martel, Games Director for the event, said he was "obviously disappointed that we are not going to see some of the fine athletes that Bermuda undoubtedly has".

But he added: "We recognise that each meeting has to find its own level of competition and that other member islands of the International Island Games Association may consider that at the present moment, there may well be some truth in the remarks made by the BTFA president, Judy Simmons.

"Whilst no competitor would normally turn down a challenge, there must come a time in certain events where the very high standards of some competitors may well impact on the number of competitors who would be prepared to take part, and, therefore, may have a detrimental effect on the event itself and ultimately the Games as a whole."

This might possibly be the case if some of Bermuda's elite athletes took part in athletics, Martel said. "There is, however, a further view which could be taken that whilst it is not a competition for the elite Bermuda athletes, it may be a suitable competition for a lower level of athlete who, because of their level of performance, would never have the opportunity to represent Bermuda on any other occasion."

Martel said he was also "sympathetic" to the BTFA's commitment to the IAAF and was "well aware of the burden placed on small islands constantly having to raise finances to send teams to meetings throughout the world".