WHAT chance a medal at the Commonwealth Games?

Realistically, very little.

Once again, the significant accomplishment for Bermudians has been in reaching the standard that will enable them to rub shoulders and compete against some of the best sportsmen and sportswomen in the world.

That in itself is a worthy achievement and something of which all the Island's team members can be proud.

If they manage personal bests in their respective sports, then that will be icing on the cake.

But against the might of Australia, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand and many of the African nations, they can hold out little hope of earning a place on the podium.

Against all odds, tenpin bowlers Antoine Jones and Conrad Lister did just that in Kuala Lumpur four years ago, and a year later at the Pan-Am Games in Winnipeg, equestrienne MJ Tumbridge created history by becoming the first Bermudian to win gold while sailors Malcolm Smith and Sarah Lane Wright also medalled.

But such remarkable achievements have been rare through Bermuda's long tradition of competing at major sports festivals.

And a glance at the Island squad which left for England this week doesn't reveal any obvious medal prospects.

It's a large - 25 in total - but generally inexperienced group of athletes.

'Granddad' of the group, Brian Wellman, probably has more experience at such events than the rest of the team put together and in his heyday during the mid 1990s might have been a safe bet to challenge for honours.

But unlike his former arch rival, world record holder and Olympic champion Jonathan Edwards who will again lead the chase for gold in Manchester, the local triple jumper has virtually disappeared off the radar screen.

Through injuries and lack of serious competition, Wellman hasn't contended at a major meet for years and it would be naive to think he could suddenly rediscover his form of old during the next few days . . . although the whole of Bermuda will be hoping he can.

At the other end of the spectrum, teenage triathlete Tyler Butterfield is taking part in his first Games and while showing prodigious talent on the domestic scene and in his adopted home in Australia, at 19 years of age his day on the international stage is likely still a few years away.

The same might be said of young cyclist Kris Hedges who is fast filling the shoes of the now retired Elliot Hubbard.

Hedges' advantage in the gruelling road race is that he will have team-mates to help share the load, a luxury rarely afforded Hubbard during his outstanding international career. But even so, chances of a medal remain slim.

Of the others currently in Manchester - gymnasts, shooters, squash players, swimmers, a diver and other triathletes and cyclists - they'll at times find the standard of competition overwhelming.

Yet hopefully they'll savour the moment, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the opportunity of a lifetime.

Anything more would be considered a monumental bonus.