next month.

But that number could quickly drop to 35 if the Under-21 soccer team fail to qualify for the finals in Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Bermuda Football Association have confirmed that their young squad will take part in CAC qualifying matches in St. Kitts from July 17-21 where they will play a round robin series against the host country, Barbados and Grenada.

Should they advance, Bermuda will l ikely send a squad of about 16 players to the Games, which begin on August 9 and continue until August 24.

A national women's hockey team have already committed to the Games, although a men's hockey squad recently pulled out.

Bermuda Olympic Association president Austin Woods also confirmed yesterday that young cyclist Kris Hedges plus a team of gymnasts would join swimmers, track and field athletes and sailors on the trip south.

"There are some who are using the CAC as a qualifier for Commonwealth Games,'' said Woods. "But most of the others have already qualified.'' Despite following the CAC Games by less than a month, the more prestigious Commonwealth Games are still expected to welcome Bermuda's biggest ever contingent.

Woods said preliminary numbers for the Malaysia festival were "up in the 30s overall.

"Considering there are no team sports, those figures are higher than normal because of the new disciplines, both squash and gymnastics. That's why the numbers are high,'' he said. "And I think swimming is trying to get a relay team for the first time, should they qualify.'' Meanwhile, it remains to be seen how many athletes will set their sights on competing at both sports festivals.

Bermuda's five-time Athlete of the Year, triple-jumper Brian Wellman will almost certainly opt for just Malaysia and the Commonwealth Games.

And the Island's top swimmers are likely to follow suit.

Jim Ferguson, president of Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association, has said he didn't think it possible that any swimmer could taper for both events. Three swimmers who have already qualified are currently travelling with the national squad to the Caribbean Championships in Barbados.

And yesterday, BASA secretary Sarah Fox again emphasised that it would be "too tiring'' for swimmers to attend both Games.

"As of now we have two swimmers who have qualified the CAC and four who have qualified for Commonwealth, but both totals can change,'' said Fox.

BASA are hopeful of sending a men's relay team to the Commonwealth Games for the first time as four swimmers have already qualified.