Track athletes Aranxta King and Tyrone Smith will attempt to cement their places in the Olympic team today when the Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) host their National Track and Field Championships at the National Sports Centre (NSC).

King and Smith, both long jumpers, are expected to be given wild cards to compete at the Games in Beijing but can make absolutely sure by meeting the qualifying standard at the Championships.

No other athlete, however, is likely to come close to qualifying.

Smith is just two centimetres from meeting the Olympic mark, and both he and King will be flying out tomorrow for the top international events.

"I am two centimetres from qualifying", said Smith at yesterday's Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) luncheon.

"I feel ready, I know that I'm ready, and it's going to happen over the next two meets. I am not one to talk too much about things, but I feel it will happen soon."

King heads for the World Junior Championships in Poland while Smith has booked his spot in the CAC Senior Championships in Cali, Colombia.

"I will be trying to relax and get familiar to jumping again as I have taken time off just to train and get healthy," she said.

"I just want to feel comfortable on the runway, so that I feel good for the World Juniors in Poland.

"That is my immediate focus. Hopefully I will feel good jumping, and take it as it comes. Jump far, that is my target."

Middle distance runner Aaron Evans and veteran sprinter Xavier James are also scheduled to take part in next week's CACs while sprinter Tre Houston will also be at the forthcoming Junior Worlds.

"I am expecting some good performances this weekend, especially from Tre Houston," said Donna Watson of the BTFA.

"We have quite a few young athletes who are preparing for overseas competitions in Philadelphia and along the east coast, so I expect some good performances from them.

"Justin Donawa is just returning from a successful meet in Miami, while Victoria Clarke and Alexis Bean, who just broke the Bermuda junior record in the 800 metres previously held by Deanne Lightbourne, are also back.

"Latroya Darrell and Andrea Jackson are home from school and we should see one of our first heptathlons take place in Bermuda this weekend.

"We are looking forward to a great event."

The National Championships start at 10 a.m. today, and 3 p.m. tomorrow at the NSC.