hope of boosting the Island's chances of Olympic success.

The West End Athletic Club is holding a track and field meet, sanctioned by the Bermuda Track and Field Association, on April 14 at the National Sports Centre.

Ironically the meet, sponsored by the Bank of Bermuda, will clash with the Carifta Games in the Caribbean at which many of the Island's rising stars will be on show.

But West End officials hope this will not detract from their own event.

The meet will feature, among other disciplines, 1500 metres, 4x100 metres relay and 100 metres sprint and field events such as the high jump. There will also be a 5K road race open to everyone over 16 years of age.

The aim of the competition is to allow the Island's young athletes to compete against each other, with an eye on improving sporting achievements for the nation in the future.

Clarence Smith, President of the West End Athletic Club, said: "I feel so strongly that the talent is here in Bermuda for us to see a healthy-sized Bermuda team going to competitions like the Olympics.

"We need to give our children the encouragement and the opportunity to develop their talents by competing regularly against each other, and more importantly against high quality international competition.'' In an effort to show the athletes just what can be achieved former Bermudian Olympians will be attending.

One of the Island's first competitors, Hazza Dill, a 400m and 800m specialist in the 1940s, will be there along with Nicky Saunders, the current holder of the Commonwealth high jump record.

"This is the first track meet for the West End Athletic Club,'' said Smith.

"We see it as a small step towards something even bigger. If young people show they are keen to compete and the track meet is successful we want to start inviting international athletes to the event, and raise enough funds to be able to send our athletes to competitions like the East Coast Championships in the US.

"For our young talent to thrive and be able to go on to represent Bermuda on the world stage we need to provide strong support and encouragement and high quality competition.'' Bank of Bermuda's events and promotions officer, Karen Madeiros, said the importance of a long-term vision for the young athletes needed stressing.

"We hope that this event inspires its competitors on to greater achievements and paves the way for a healthy future in Bermuda's track and field,'' she said.