It's definite - Mid-Island Striders athletes will not compete at the Carifta Games.

Saying "the losers here are the children", president of the Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) Judy Simmons yesterday clarified any doubt on that matter following an arbitration ruling which adjudged BTFA were correct in barring that club's athletes from Carifta selection because of non-compliance with qualification guidelines - in particular not joining the national training squad by last December 15.

The arbitration panel - who heard Mid-Island's petition to have their athletes involved in Carifta - had noted in their judgement that BTFA "might still include those participants under exceptional circumstances where it is within their guidelines to do so".

However, Simmons stressed since Mid-Island were not in compliance with BTFA guidelines or guidelines of the international body (the International Association of Athletics Federation), it would be impossible to consider the plight of the club's athletes as one of "exceptional circumstances".

Simmons stressed the public must realise this is an international competition and the BTFA is bound by international rules.

"This is not domestic," she told The Royal Gazette. "This is not what we want to do. This is what we have to do because it's an international event. We have been saying this all this time.

"The IAAF Rules one and four say that in international competition only persons who are affiliated with a member, who are registered with a member or who have abided by the member's rules can participate in an event and Carifta is an international competition.

"The losers here are the children and we all know that. But if we can't go by our own rules then we need not be in business. It's that simple."

Simmons, however, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the arbitration process, saying the BTFA have been fully vindicated. She pointed out the national athletics governing body were not obligated to go that route since, as a non-affiliate, Mid-Island had no grounds on which to stand.

"Yes, we do feel vindicated because the truth is finally out," she added. "I am relieved it's over but no-one is a winner. This is something that's very unfortunate and should not have happened. BTFA did all it could to ensure that every child who was Bermudian would be given the opportunity to take part in Carifta."

The BTFA chief rued the fact that some of the Island's talented athletes will not showcase their ability at the regional junior championships being held here on Easter weekend.

"It's a disappointment. To disadvantage a child is not something that we like doing," she said.

Asked if she feels the BTFA has been tarnished by the impasse or if the arbitration findings have erased any stain, she replied: "What happened does matter. A lot of people's reputations have been attacked. A lot of people's feelings have been hurt. A lot has gone on and you need to realise we're all volunteers and the way some people have been attacked was just not necessary.

"There's a lot to be overcome. This has been going on for a long time and whatever problems they (Mid-Island) have, we passed them over by sending that e-mail (regarding Carifta) which shows clearly that we were willing to say 'Come on board, work with us for the sake of the children'.

"There's nothing more I or the BTFA can do."

The president said she never took the situation personally though others involved might have done so.

"I tell you how I feel about a situation and move on from there but it seems to be personal with some people and I cannot speak for them," she added.

"The directors made the decision (about Mid-Island). Judy Simmons and Gerry Swan's names have been thrown about a whole lot. Gerry Swan is not a decision-making member of BTFA and as such should not have been called into it.

"The five directors made the decision and stuck by it."

Simmons hopes the issue can now be put to rest and that the entire athletics fraternity can be united. However, given Mid-Island coach Renalda Swan's objections to the written ruling - which he contended differed from the verbal one - she expects "there's still going to be something that's not quite settled".

She called on the Island to rally behind the Carifta campaign, noting a lot of work remains to be done in the next two weeks.

"We have spent far too much time on this issue...we're playing catch up right now," she added. "I would like to invite everyone to come out and support Carifta and the athletes who have been chosen and enjoy what I'd say is the closest thing to the Olympics that we'll ever have."

Bermuda's Carifta team, she added, will be announced at a Press conference, possibly as early as tomorrow.