Holland-bound Troy Douglas appears to have maintained unflagging support in Bermuda.

Now the question is whether that will translate into an honour as Male Athlete of the Year in next month's National Sports Awards.

Seeking greater opportunity for the future and greater income for the present, the three-time Olympic sprinter and 200-metre record holder recently told The Royal Gazette he was changing citizenship to the Netherlands, where he has lived and trained for the past three years.

The fallout, it appears, has been minimal.

"Everyone is supportive,'' said Steven Douglas, Troy's brother and Island representative. "It's amazing. Any one who knows I'm his brother has been very supportive (of Troy).'' Judith Simmons, president of Bermuda Track and Field Association, and Anthony Roberts, director of the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Recreation, while "saddened'' by his decision, also came down firmly on the side of Douglas.

But how the six-member awards panel, who last weekend sat down to decide the 1997 winners, saw it is another matter. Roberts, who is chairman of the committee and will MC the live ceremony on February 16, wouldn't say although he hoped it wouldn't matter.

"What Troy did in 1997 he did on behalf of Bermuda and we should recognise that,'' he said.

Said Simmons: "He's represented Bermuda incredibly for the last ten or more years; how could you feel resentment?'' Triple-jumper Brian Wellman has won the Athlete of the Year Award for the past five years and, after a relatively ordinary year, the honour appears wide open.

If Douglas, who was fourth last year at the World Indoor Championships, made the semi-final at both the World Outdoor Championship and re-set his national 200m record, doesn't finally earn the award, "it will show the mentality of the people who pick it,'' said Steven Douglas.

He said brother stood by his decision and will travel with the Dutch team for winter training in Aruba this month.

While maintaining he was not -- and will not be -- turning his back on Bermuda, Troy Douglas criticised the Bermuda Olympic Association and Government for lack of financial support during his international tenure.

"He's been an ambassador for Bermuda in Europe for a long time,'' said Steven Douglas. "People don't understand the sacrifices these guys make.'' "It's unfortunate that we're not in a position to help him and Bermuda is not as high up there in athletics as other countries,'' added Simmons. "That's the bottom line.'' Roberts looked at Douglas' decision from a personal standpoint; he worked for a spell in the US to aid his career. Douglas says he wants to be a full-time coach when his running career ends.

"One of the things all athletes have to look out for is `What do I do when my career is over','' said Roberts. "This is no different. We all have choices to make.'' Douglas, meanwhile, will have to wait until March before making his break from Bermuda. That's when the International Amateur Athletics Federation meet to discuss his case and until then, "It's out of our hands,'' said Simmons.

"He's still Bermudian.'' The BTFA and Dutch Athletics Federation have submitted the requisite paperwork and the IAAF will mediate the release.