They would much prefer to see and hear them in a medal presentation but the Bermudian contingent at the 28th Summer Olympics were all smiles yesterday as the Island?s flag and national song took centre stage.

Bermuda and three of the other 202 countries participating in the sporting extravaganza ? the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Bahrain ? were officially welcomed to the Games in a Flag Raising ceremony at the Olympic Village at noon.

All four nations stood proudly as each other?s flags were hoisted on poles with their respective national anthems playing in the background. Interestingly, in Bermuda?s case, rather than it was that blared from the speakers.

Secretary General of the Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA) Judy Simons later explained that it had been policy in the past decade or so to play the latter tune at Flag Raising ceremonies but, should a Bermudian win a gold medal, it?s the national anthem which will be heard.

During the 45-minute welcome Bermuda?s Philip Guishard also exchanged gifts with Mayor of the Olympic Village Ioannis Manos as is customary on these occasions. Guishard?s offering included a 2005 Bermuda almanac, one of his team?s souvenir Olympic shirts and a Horton?s chocolate rum cake.

Four of the athletes who will compete for Bermuda in the coming fortnight ? Kiera Aitken, Tyler Butterfield, Tim Collins and Katura Horton-Perinchief ? plus team officials attended the function. Missing were sailors Peter Bromby and Paula Lewin and their crews as well as 100-metre sprinter Xavier James.

Bromby, who will be looking to begin life at 40 with a medal-winning performance in the Star Class, has been given the signal duty of carrying the country?s flag in tonight?s Opening Ceremony.

Reached by phone later in the evening, Bermuda?s reigning Male Athlete of the Year said he was ?honoured? to be chosen and was looking forward to the spectacle which will see all nations parading through the new and impressive Olympic Stadium.

?We will do a little sailing in the morning (today) and then we will be off to the ceremony. It?s always a big night but hopefully it won?t be too long,? he said chuckling.

Not entirely surprised to be picked as Bermuda?s standard bearer, the skipper ? who celebrates his landmark birthday on August 26 ? termed his selection a reflection of the strong support which the entire Bermudian team and community is giving him, Lee White (crew) and Martin Siese (coach), the latter beating Bromby to the 40 milestone with a birthday today.

?Everybody is pulling for us,? noted world-ranked Bromby, one of the hot favourites in his class and a veteran of three previous Olympics.

Simons hailed the Island?s top skipper as the perfect person to be up front and centre at the opening.

?He is an excellent choice. I think Peter is very worthy to carry the flag. He certainly holds the greatest hopes of bringing home an Olympic medal for us and I?m sure he will do us proud in the Opening Ceremony,? she said.

Bermuda?s men will be dressed for Athens? sweltering heat as the Games kick off with an elaborate tribute to Greece?s historic past and pay homage to the Olympics origins. The Islanders will wear their traditional red Bermuda shorts with navy blue blazers while their female counterparts sport navy-blue skirt suits with red blouses.

While it?s uncertain how many people will march behind the Bermudian flag, the four athletes present yesterday said they intended to be at the Opening Ceremony and all are already enjoying life in the Olympic Village.

?There?s nothing like it. It?s amazing and special being in the Village and seeing all these incredible athletes walking around ? people that you see on TV ? and to think that you?ve actually got here to compete at the highest level,? noted equestrian Collins who is among 75 riders in the three-day eventing competition.

Horton-Perinchief can definitely second that sentiment having had a personal brush with sporting royalty in her first few days here.

?I was waiting to get my accreditation fixed and (tennis star) Venus (Williams) came in and asked me which line she had to follow and I was like ?The green one . . . Venus Williams!?

?She said hello and asked me what sport I did. When I said diving her reply was ?Wow, that?s cool?.

?Here I was thrilled to meet her and she was just as thrilled to meet me. I was so excited. I can leave now,? declared the Bermudian diver of her encounter with the defending Olympic women?s singles champion.