Despite suffering stress fractures in both legs, track star Tamika Williams remains determined to reach the qualifying standard in the 800 metres for this year?s Olympic Games in Greece.

While some might view the injuries as a huge setback in her Olympic quest, the 25-year-old California-based Bermudian says the recent turn of events could, in fact, prove a ?blessing in disguise? as they enable her to take a short rest after months of tough training.

However, with precious little time remaining before the Games qualifying deadline ? no exact date has yet been set ? Williams still faces an uphill battle in her bid to secure a ticket to Athens.

?I need to know the deadline and it?s stressful but I can?t really be focusing on that too much right now,? said Williams yesterday. ?I am just thinking positive about my injuries and dealing with that situation first and foremost.?

Williams, who a few weeks ago clocked a time of 2.04.40 to break her existing Bermuda 800 metres record, suffered stress fractures in her right tibia and left foot ? injuries which became apparent when she failed to finish her last race at the Occidental Games in Los Angeles two weeks? ago.

?After Occidental I was fatigued because I had an injury I didn?t realise I had,? she explained. ?When I got back to Stanford and started training the following week, after a few days I wasn?t feeling good and I realised I had the fractures.

?(But) I look at it as perhaps a blessing in disguise. This is needed rest for me, actually. I have been able to come home, see my family and be a part of them for a little bit.

?My doctors said I would be out for six weeks, but we got somebody who will be treating it aggressively with a bone stimulator and air brace and air cast and I?m getting physical therapy.?

While back on the Island, Williams expects to do some light workouts unrelated to track and field, indicating that swimming and biking might help her retain some sharpness.

While she?s wearing a brace, Williams says she?s not restricted and pointed out that she could have raced over weekend had it been necessary.

?I am not on crutches, I am wearing a brace but the fractures are not so bad that doctors say I have to stay off my feet. I am still able to do other activities.

?I am lucky because I am able to do other sports where I don?t have to be impacting my legs too much. I have swimming and triathlon background and I enjoy doing other things, but I will have a few weeks to take it easier and rest my body.?

Williams? goal is to return to California and begin intense training by June 6 with an aim to be back competing by the first weekend in July.

?I have been doing a lot of reading about dealing with injuries, there have been so many Olympic athletes who have been injured around this time before the Games and have come back to do well. I am confident that I will recover quickly and bounce back from this slight setback,? she said.