Bermuda's athletes are keyed up, raring to go and desperate to bring gold back to Bermuda.

Team manager Jon Beard said all the teams within the 100 plus squad were prepared to do battle in the 2003 Island Games in Guernsey, adding that he was very impressed with all the preparation of the individuals at the Channel Islands event.

"I am looking forward to some gold medals but I am not putting money on it because this is completely unknown for us," said Beard.

"At the end of the week hopefully there will be success but it will also be an eye opener for us. We want to get the experience and we want to be enthused about it.

"If we want to get better we have got to have these type of experiences. With this I expect success and if we don't get it then at least we know where we are."

The games proper start on Sunday with cycling time trials and volleyball, and today (Sat) the opening ceremony will take place in St Peter Port. Beard will lead the Bermuda contingent.

Competitors will bid for gold in archery, badminton, triathlon, swimming, gymnastics, table tennis, cycling,

volleyball and basketball. Beard admitted that while some of the sports were regular international competitors, others were in virgin territory.

He said he was impressed with the professionalism of the teams, especially the cyclists and triathletes, who he said were training within hours of landing on Guernsey yesterday.

Cycling and swimming are areas he believes Bermuda will do well in, with the triathletes also being in contention.

Others, such as archery and table tennis are stepping into the dark, he said.

In addition, Beard said he was impressed with the sporting facilities on the island for all the disciplines, and especially the organisation for the event.