FROM an international point of view, Bermuda sport has a habit of hibernating for weeks on end. Then suddenly it emerges, dusts off the cobwebs and springs into life.

We've just seen one of those weeks.

While domestically there's been little of interest – that's often the case in August once Cup Match is over – it's all been happening overseas.

Rarely in the past can there have been so many Bermudians excelling on the international stage in such a short timespan in so many different sports.

In the past seven days:

Robert Vallis became the British Senior Amateur Open golf champion, completing not only what he will regard as the most significant victory of his career, but perhaps the most significant of any local golfer.

Teenager Reggie Lambe forced his way into the starting eleven at English Championship League side Ipswich Town, no mean achievement considering competition among foreign players to make such a breakthrough. Just ask Shaun Goater or Kyle Lightbourne.

Another teen, Michelle Pearson, not only earned a place in the USA's national rowing team, but went on to help that team to win gold at the World Championships in France. And yes, she is a Bermudian, although also holding a US passport. Who could blame her for joining the Americans when the Island's fledgling rowing association haven't yet reached the stage where the Worlds have come into view?

And yet another teen, Tyler Smith dominated the tennis courts at the Coca Cola ITF junior international event in St. Lucia, lifting both the singles and doubles titles, emphasising her huge potential.

Tyler Butterfield, who can't seem to keep his name out of the headlines whether it be in swimming, cycling or road running or combining all three in triathlon, took second place in a highly competitive pro Half-Ironman event in Colorado. That event, incidentally, required a 1.2 mile swim, 56-mile cycle and 13.1 mile run – in Butterfield's case all completed in less than four hours. Try doing the same over the entire weekend and see if you still make work on Monday!

And finally there was another of those attempting to make his mark in the professional ranks, Michael Sims equalling his best finish on the Nationwide Tour since he rejoined the circuit early in the year. A few more results like that, it's not inconceivable he could be teeing it up with the likes of Tiger Woods come next season.

Five sports, six 'winners', spanning different age categories, all in the space of a week.

Not bad for a tiny island which in recent months has been grabbing the attention of overseas observers for all of the wrong reasons.

It's performances such as these which inspire fellow athletes and show that those from a small country can still think big.

Hopefully, they'll also inspire those who think the only way they can make their presence felt is with guns, knives and machetes.

* * * *

DEBATE erupted again this week over whether golf should become an Olympic sport. And ahead of the PGA Championships, Tiger, Phil and Sergio were right there, offering their support. Why wouldn't they?

But, as so many strongly believe, golf has no place in the Games, nor has tennis or for that matter basketball, although sadly through huge endorsements, TV rights and the accompanying cash, the latter two got their way.

Surely it won't be long before they'll be joined by the golfers for the same reasons.

And erosion of sport's most spectacular festival will continue.

That erosion began when the so-called US basketball 'Dream Team' forced their way in and continued with the admittance of those on the pro tennis circuit.

Shame.

Traditionally and historically the Olympics have been the stage on which the lesser known sportsmen and women have had a chance to display their extraordinary talents and for a couple of weeks take the spotlight off the billionaire superstars.

For athletes, swimmers, gymnasts, rowers and so many more unrecognised competitors, the Games constitute their own 'major'.

Golf has the Masters, US Open, British Open and PGA, and tennis Wimbledon, the French, US and Australian Opens. These are the events which define any player's career.

Should Tiger win an Olympic gold, he won't be remembered for that. He'll be remembered for how many majors he's won. And the same goes for Federer. An Olympic winner already, he's being hailed as the greatest of all time with 15 Grand Slam titles and probably more to come. The gold medal pales in comparison.

TV viewers watch the Olympics to see the world's fastest men and women on land and in water. They don't care too much who hits the longest golf ball or bangs down the fastest serve. They can watch that any week of the year.

But, of course, ultimately the network giants will get their way.

As always, money talks.

– ADRIAN ROBSON