NEIL de Ste. Croix has made his mark on the sporting scene in Bermuda in many ways - as a runner, a triathlete and a cyclist (he's a former winner of the May 24 Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race).

But he'll be the first to admit that something like the Olympics has always been out of reach.

So the chance to visit these Games in an official capacity, as triathlon manager for Flora Duffy, is proving to be an enormous thrill.

"I would have loved to have been a pro athlete, everyone would I think. For people like Flora it's a reality, for me it was a dream," he said.

"But it's just amazing being here. The whole Village atmosphere is just astounding. Since we've been here it's changed so much.

"Today, you can see everyone is moving with a purpose, teams are heading out, athletics is about to start, cycling time trials are about to begin, you've seen wheels and bikes and cyclists everywhere.

"The mood is, not tense, but serious. There's a lot of competition going on.

"And I'm enjoying every minute of it."

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WITH a population of little more than 60,000, Bermuda were never expected to be in medal contention at these Games.

But expectations might have been slightly higher in a country which houses 1.1 billion.

Yet until Monday's shooting competition, India had never been able to bring home an individual gold.

That all changed when Abhinav Bindra beat a star-studded field, including Chinese defending champion Zhu Qinan, to claim first place.

India had medalled many times at the Olympics thanks to their men's hockey team, but never through an individual competitor.

As such Bindra became an instant hero . . . and will no doubt return home with a few more rupees in his bank account than when he left.

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RAFAEL Nadal might be the most recognised face in the Games Village, the Wimbledon and French Open champion seen regularly cavorting with his Spanish team-mates.

But his arch rival, Roger Federer, is nowhere to be seen, preferring to spend his time in one of the city's many luxury hotels.

That decision didn't go down well with another tennis star, the sometimes irascible Scot, Andy Murray.

"I just can't understand it," he said. "It's a privilege to be in the Village and be able to speak to the best athletes in the world."

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EASTERN Europeans are travelling the globe these days like never before.

And here at the Olympics, a few of them are making their presence felt - in the worst possible way.

The younger ones, in particular, push, shove, scream and shout into their mobile phones without any consideration for those around them.

In fact, they're providing fierce competition for some of the visiting Americans who still feel the need to hold a conversation loud enough for those in the next room to join in.

In Beijing, we could all take a lesson from the Chinese whose manners, as always, are impeccable.

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AMERICAN swimmer Dara Torres caused quite a stir when, at the age of 41, she qualified for these Games in the 50 metres freestyle.

But compared to China's oldest competitor, she's just a youngster.

Like Torres, Luan Jujie went to the Los Angeles Games in 1984 and now, aged 50, she's returned as the country's fencing queen.

A mother of three, she coaches in Edmonton, Canada, but came out of competitive retirement only because the Games were being held in her country of birth.

And after starting her qualification as the lowest ranked fencer in North America she rose to number two, earning her a trip home.

"Some call me mum, others call me auntie. But I'm just an athlete," she said. "Age isn't a problem."