OCCASIONALLY, perhaps far more frequently than we should expect for an island of this size, Bermuda produces athletes of exceptional quality.

Two who might fall into that category have been making the headlines of late.

Soccer player Kevin Richards and squash player Nick Kyme might still be some way off reaching their full potential, but they've managed to raise more than a few eyebrows through what they've already achieved in a relatively short period.

And for both the signs would appear encouraging.

Richards made such an impression at Notre Dame that last week he became the first ever player from that institution ? better known perhaps for its success on the basketball court and (American) football field ? to be drafted into the Major Soccer League.

The MSL may still fall a long way short of the European leagues in terms of quality, but the fact that so many American players have made the transition from the MSL to, in particular, the English Premiership suggests the gulf in class is rapidly narrowing.

And while Richards' acquisition by the Colorado Rapids is just another stepping stone on the long road to professional success, there's no reason to believe he couldn't be the Island's next Shaun Goater.

Hopefully, the Bermuda public will get chance to see for themselves when he turns out for the national team in two World Cup warm-up matches against Trinidad early next month and in the World Cup proper a little later against Montserrat.

Now, if only Goater himself could make the same commitment . . . .

While Richards performs in the most popular sport of all, our other star in the making has chosen a career in a game with less international appeal, yet arguably no less demanding.

Indeed, squash, like most sports at the highest level, requires skill, fitness, endurance and a deft touch, all of which Nick Kyme appears to possess in abundance.

His meteoric rise up to 114 in the world rankings in his first year on the professional circuit speaks volumes of his determination and appetite for hard work.

A wildcard berth in the elite Bermuda Open later this year ? originally denied by the world governing body because of his relatively low ranking ? is no less than he deserves.

Crucially, his appearance in that tournament alone will offer enough ranking points to secure entry into many more top events around the world.

As former pro golfer Kim Swan pointed out earlier this week, every aspiring athlete needs a break early in their career in order pursue their goals.

Kyme's got that break. He and the rest of Bermuda will be hoping he can make the most of it.

NOBODY over the years has done more to facilitate the smooth running of International Race Weekend than Race Secretary Pam Shailer.

In fact, some might go as far as to argue that without her contribution, the event would fall apart at the seams.

So when she speaks out, as was the case in a letter to Sports Mailbox yesterday, it's difficult not take notice.

Unfortunately, Pam seems to have fallen into the same trap as so many of her colleagues within Bermuda Track and Field Association ? shooting the messenger rather than analysing the message.

She points to two headlines which appeared inlast week, complaining that both were negative and misleading.

We beg to differ.

The first 'Road race festival losing its lustre' headlined this same column in which it was explained that although still a wonderful weekend, the three-day race festival attracts fewer elite runners these days and certainly fewer of international fame. Instead, numbers have been swelled by hordes of walkers, most of them competing for a very worthwhile charity.

The second, headlined 'Lack of funds to blame for stay-away athletes' simply reflected comments made at a pre-race press conference by BTFA president Judy Simmons, who conceded the Weekend was suffering through lack of sponsorship.

Both stories might be perceived as negative, but what Pam and others seem to ignore are the acres of positive publicity afforded International Race Weekend, before during and after the event.

Certainly no media in Bermuda devotes as much time and effort to covering all of the races as and that's reflected in the dozens of articles, pictures and result columns, all of which are then relayed to the rest of the world through the Internet.

A Department of Tourism official had the temerity to suggest at Sunday's prize-giving that "tourism was suffering because of articles printed in this newspaper".

With screwballs such as that particular employee on staff, it's no wonder our tourism industry is in such disarray.

SHELDON Thompson, at the relatively young age of 29, announced his retirement from athletics this week with a stinging attack on Bermuda Track and Field Association.

Had his been a lone voice, his complaints of 'favouritism' and 'poor decision-making' by the governing body might have been dismissed as a case of sour grapes.

But sadly his tale has been heard countless times before, and still we persist with the same administration.

The various running clubs, Swan's, Mid Atlantic, Pacers, Flyers, West End et al, have privately ? but rarely publicly for fear of recrimination ? complained about they way the sport is run.

They deserve everything they get.

Until they make a stand, nothing will change.

And in the meantime Thompson and other athletes with much to offer will continue to fall by the wayside.