Bermuda School Sports Federation administrator Mr. Clint Smith yesterday struck back at claims that last month's Bermuda Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships were tainted by drugs and violence.

Only one incident took place inside the National Stadium over the two-day event -- Bermuda's biggest track meet that attracted more than 1,000 athletes from local secondary schools and as many spectators -- claimed Mr. Smith.

And that involved a man in his 20s who was not attached to any of the seven schools that attended the event.

He said a second incident involving an attack on a Police officer took place outside the stadium on Roberts Avenue and had nothing to do with the meet.

Mr. Smith said media coverage that highlighted the negative did not do justice to the athletes, some of whom broke records this year.

"The incidents did not involve students,'' he claimed.

He added the federation had done everything in its powers to ensure students were protected from the "negative elements'' that frequented sports events.

BSSF special security measures included: allowing student groups to watch only on the second day; requesting all students wore school uniform; allowing admission to the stadium by ticket only. Each student had a specially designated seat; demanding each group of 20 had its own supervisory teacher; setting aside seating for students in the eastern bleachers -- well away from other spectators.

But ultimately, he said, it was up to schools to control the behaviour of their students.

"There is nothing else I can do from an organisers' point of view ...

that's the best we can possibly do,'' he said. "It is up to the principals to act accordingly.'' And it was impossible, he said, to make the event exclusively for students, their friends and families.

Mr. Smith added that in a letter to the Police Commissioner Mr. Colin Coxall ten days before the meet, he had requested the presence of a Police task force.

This had been granted, he said.

And he praised Police for arresting a man suspected of drugs possession in difficult circumstances.

At other sports events, organisers simply "turned a blind eye'' to those spectators who smoke marijuana and consume alcohol at sports events, Mr. Smith claimed.

"I am very pleased the Police did what they did. Too often there is a blindfolded approach to negative behaviour because it is hoped it will go away.

"The reaction of the Police showed students such behaviour will not be tolerated.'' He commended students for their self-control and for keeping clear of the ensuing struggle with Police.

After the incident, students returned directly to their seats to watch the athletics.

And drinking and drug taking among students would have been impossible at the event, he concluded.

Most of those who attended the event were unaware of the clash with Police until they read newspaper reports the following day.

Mr. Smith said reports in The Royal Gazette and the Bermuda Sun were "one-sided'' by allowing a ten-minute incident to blot out the many positive athletic feats achieved over the two days.

The Royal Gazette tried several times unsuccessfully to reach Mr. Smith the night of the incident.