tomorrow's CAC cross country championships at Belmont will not alter Bermuda Track and Field Association's decision.

While members of Mid Atlantic Athletic Club have publicly voiced their concern over the non-selection of the Island's top female runner, BTFA chief Stanley Douglas indicated yesterday that team selection was final.

Douglas, who was particularly critical of The Royal Gazette's coverage of her exclusion, said it was "regrettable'' that an attempt was being made to "sway' public opinion.

But he would not be drawn into making any further comment on the issue, noting only that the BTFA had shown their support for the athlete by ensuring that she was recommended as a member of the Bermuda team for next month's Pan-Am Games in Argentina.

"Thank you Adrian Robson (RG Sports Editor) for identifying Jennifer Fisher for being selected for the Pan-Am Games. But the public needs to know that the BTFA had put her name forward and has worked feverishly to ensure that she has an opportunity to go the Pan-Am Games,'' said Douglas in a prepared statement.

"In Mr. Robson's article today (Thursday) he said that Fisher had been accepted `hands down' as though the BTFA had nothing to do with it. But if the BOA did not get a recommendation from the national governing body of track and field on her behalf then she would not have been included.'' Douglas added in his statement: "This is not a display of anything against Fisher as our decision to support her for the Pan-Am Games will show. This whole incident is regrettable.

"I wouldn't be surprised after the Mid Atlantic Club's meeting on Wednesday to see them boycott us. If you remember it was the MAAC people who refused to stand after one candidate was not voted in (at the AGM).

"I am sorry that this has come down to a situation where people are trying to move the BTFA through the press. The comments have been accepted and we feel that everyone is due an opinion. But I would like them to bring it to the table so that we can work together in the future.''