Sports Minister Dale Butler says funding campaigns for the 2008 Olympics must begin now.

Stating that money is the biggest challenge for Bermuda?s athletes hoping to fulfil their Olympic ambitions, he disclosed that he would meet with the Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA) in the next two weeks to plan for the Beijing Games and other international meets in between now and then.

?A lot of work will have to go into fund-raising. That?s the athletes? number-one problem. I think their employers would give them the time off ? and some of them are self-employed ? but they can?t afford to take three or six months away from their jobs and have to meet their family responsibilities.?

Speaking as he hosted a motorcade and luncheon to honour the Island?s ten participants in the recent Athens Olympics, Butler said the financial situation had to be examined in a short, medium and long-term perspective and would require input from the business community.

?If we are really serious about participating at the highest level, the commitment has to come from Government and we definitely would need more corporate sponsorship as well.

?It?s a question of how can we get there so that when we do go to the Olympics again, we don?t go looking for personal bests. We go because we are going to win medals,? he stated emphatically.

The minister ? who attended the Games in Greece ? displayed his photographic flair, presenting the Olympians with photographs of them in competition which he took.

?I took about ten to 20 photos of each athlete at their event and I ran off complimentary copies for each of them as a personal memento from me,? he explained.

Premier Alex Scott also addressed the Island?s top athletes during a brief ceremony at City Hall, terming them ?wonderful, excellent role models for our young people?.

BOA president John Hoskins noted that, for such a small country, Bermuda?s diversity of sporting endeavours was ?quite incredible?.

Minus diver Katura Horton-Perinchief and swimmer Kiera Aitken, the Island?s Olympic contingent were paraded through Hamilton in sleek convertibles before being treated to lunch at the Fairmont Hamilton.

Triathlete Tyler Butterfield and equestrian Tim Collins both enjoyed the experience. Butterfield noted it was nice to get together with all the other athletes again since very often ?you go your own separate ways? and hardly see each other.

Collins, who resides in England, has been pleasantly surprised at how many people have recognised him during his holiday here.

?This was fantastic. You don?t realise how many people are watching and supporting (you) and for them to greet you and say ?well done? is great. It?s been super,? said the 28-year-old.

Sailor Lee White ? who accompanied Peter Bromby in the Star Class ? said they were pleased by Government?s gesture. However, the disappointment of not medalling in Athens, he admitted, was still fresh in their minds.

?When you see that we came first and third on one day, it shows we were capable of performing well but we just had a horrendous start and a bit of misfortune.

?That?s the nature of sport and one must have the mental strength to overlook that. There will always be another day,? he noted.

Sprinter Xavier James, who attended the function with his mother, disclosed he was embarking on a medium-term programme to include next summer?s CAC Championships in The Bahamas, the World Championships in August, the CAC Games in November/December, and the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia.