The 2006/07 Track and Field season has finished and a new one is just about to start with the Labour Day Junior and Senior Races that includes a 3km Junior race, 5 Mile Senior Run and Walk. The past running season had its successes. Whenever Our young athletes travel for competition it is a success, even if not medalling. International competition can open their minds to the world, and have the world notice them, which can help a lot in future decisions.

Locally Jay Donawa, Dawn Richardson, and the Marshall Brothers were the successes of Senior running. I still give BIG KUDOS to Larry Marshall on his May 24 triumph. Sinclair Smith and Anna Eatherley were the top of the class amongst the walkers, yes very fast. It is said that Sinclair's lady friend took his brakes off.

We can't forget our multiple marathoners like Cal, Elvin and Margaret, whom you'll find anywhere in the world finishing another marathon, and last but not least Scott Neil on his running write-ups.

The Labour Day entry forms should be ready now, go get it. While there, get a new Bermuda Track and Field Association track and field schedule for the upcoming 2007/08 Season. We enquiring minds want to know "what's going on" in the upcoming running world that the good schedule has been known to give out.

If you do not see the new schedule in the shop then e-mail the BTFA. The BTFA's email address is ber@mf.iaaf.org and was personally given to them by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF), because Bermuda plus many other countries of this world, are a member of that world governing body of track and field. I hope the Public and the IAAF have better luck of getting through to them, as that e-mail address has failed with me recently.

A different opinion, said in different times under different circumstances, has a way of sounding better the second time around by the same person. In July 2007 was a good sports letter in the Gazette on the accomplishments of Bermuda athletes in the recent World Youth Championships and the Pan-Am Junior Championships by BTFA board member Bob Oliver.

They did do well, even though not medalling. Over the years there have been other Bermuda athletes who have IMPRESSED the world of track and field, yes including Bermuda, with their accomplishments. Some are Brian Wellman, Michael Swan, Debbie Jones, Clarence (Nicky) Saunders (present Commonwealth high jump record holder), and, as a junior, Raneika Bean, who still holds the Carifta Games record in the 100 metre dash while competing for Bermuda in 1998. She finished first in that 100m DASH in a WORLD CLASS and Carifta RECORD TIME of 11.28 seconds. She has not been seen in Track and Field since just after that time, which makes me wonder if the heavy criticism against her Record Time in the Gazette back then was part of the reason. Mr. Oliver should remember those articles, a statistician in his own right. Raneika did have a great football career after that and represented Bermuda as well. It is good to give applause to those who accomplished while competing for Bermuda, and sad when their performance is minimised in the media, even though the record stands today in the Carifta website I saw. Her record should be in Bermuda's record books now.

Another incident in the representation of athletes for Bermuda comes as a result of the recent Island Games. The BTFA had a non-Bermudian lady represent them in the half marathon. Should the Bermuda Track and Field Association, as the head of running here be using only Bermudians to represent Bermuda? It was reported in this paper that this talented lady will be leaving the island next year, after only 18 months here so far.

Even if she may have paid her own way, I disagree with the BTFA having her represent Bermuda. If the BTFA paid her way, that was not money well spent, as her not here is not encouragement for Bermudian female runners. Do you think that in the next two years the BTFA will have programmes encouraging Bermudian females to represent Bermuda in the next Island Games? By the way the two Bermudian males medalled, with Terrance Armstrong getting gold and Jay Donawa a bronze. CONGRATS GUYS.

Roger Lambert