the Heritage Classic meet for the second year in a row.

The athlete said yesterday from his home base in Arizona that because he had long committed himself to compete in France around the same time of the local event on June 11, it was virtually impossible for him to come home and be involved.

But what was even more surprising was that the Bermuda Olympian had not been informed of the revised date of the Heritage Classic -- a new date being chosen after the Bermuda Track and Field Association was forced to switch from the tentative date of May 22 because work was being done to improve the tartan track at National Stadium.

Just like the other male Olympian based in Arkansas, triple-jumper Brian Wellman, Douglas was also informed of the June 11 date by The Royal Gazette .

Both questioned why the BTFA had not taken the initiative to do so after publicly announcing the revised date early last week.

"I have had no call, no letter or anything from them. I hope they don't expect me to quit my Europe plans and come home, I won't even worry about it,'' said Douglas.

"I have been striving to be a world-class athlete for some time now, but after working hard to get there I certainly am not being treated that way. I can't be notified one week and then make plans, I have to be notified as long as six weeks in advance,'' he explained.

However, BTFA vice-president responsible for track and field Stanley Douglas said that the association was aware of Douglas' position through a publication that revealed that he was among a long list of athletes who were committed to the Grand Prix circuit in Europe and therefore they were not expecting him.

But yesterday Wellman also revealed that while he had still not been officially contacted, he nevertheless expected that he would be available for the Heritage Classic as long as his schedule does not change. "It looks good right now. There is a meet I'm interested in that takes place in Germany, I'll have to check on the exact date but I think it is now taking place in July,'' he said.

Douglas said that he would love to compete at home, but he pointed out that his schedule had been long finalised and he knows that the Bermuda public would fully understand his position.

"It's a shame that things haven't worked out for the second year in a row, but I know the Bermuda public will appreciate my position. I've committed to being in Europe and I am sticking to my guns,'' said Douglas.

"Last year was the Olympics and I had a busy schedule. This year one of my goals is to get as many Grand Prix points and reach the finals. I don't want anything to interfere with my schedule at this time, I can't deviate from it.'' Douglas' plans have him running the 200 metres in a meet at Columbia University, New York, on Saturday then he will go to British Columbia to compete on May 31 and June 3. After Canada he heads for Europe about June 10 for several mini meets and Grand Prix meets.

Both Douglas and Wellman were involved in a meet in California on Saturday, the two turning in reasonable performances.

Douglas competed in the 4x400 metres relay and the 4x200 metres relay with most members of his team being Jamaicans attending school in the United States. They finished second in both.

Wellman placed first in the triple jump with a modest effort of 56 feet, two-and-a-half inches. "It was a reasonable effort since it's still early in the year, but I was hoping to jump over 57 feet,'' he said.

Wellman beat out American Tyrone Scott who placed second with a leap of 55-43 inches.

CLASSIC ABSENCE -- Troy Douglas has decided not to run in the Heritage Classic for the second straight year.