Coach Ben Smith believes Bermuda's swimmers at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, will break a raft of national records.

Bermuda's swim team includes Female Athlete of the Year Kiera Aitken, Olympian Roy Allan Burch and Florida State's Nick Thomson who all competed at this summer's CAC Games.

The trio left for India's capital yesterday as part of Bermuda's 14-strong squad.

Smith has backed Aitken to final in the 100 metre backstroke while he is confident Burch and Thomson can both reach the 1500m freestyle semis.

"Kiera has won medals throughout the summer and looked good at the CAC Games," said Smith. "She's already made her qualifying time for the World Championships and should be looking to get to the finals.

"Both Roy and Nick can challenge in the 1500m freestyle. If they swim like they're capable of then of course national record times will be broken.

"If they hit those times they could reach the semis and then it's all about who can put in the extra boost to make the finals."

If he swims to his potential Burch reckons he will have no problem hitting the qualifying mark for next year's World Championships in Shanghai, China.

"I've been working with Ben all summer and I feel like I'm moving forward which is the main thing," said Burch.

"I'm looking to qualify for the World Championships and I'm getting closer to the time I need in training.

"If I swim to my potential I'll be able to hit that time and go even better."

For youngster Thomson, the Games will be the biggest challenge of his fledgling career. And like Burch, he has set his sights on joining team-mate Aitken at the World Championships.

"My primary target is the World Championships and my secondary target is making the US Olympic trial cut," said Thomson, who will swim the 50 and 100m freestyle and the 50m fly - the same events as Burch.

Thomson recently started a full athletic scholarship at top NCAA Division One college, Florida State.

He hopes the college's gruelling training programme will have helped him reach his peak performance heading into the Games.

"I've been working really hard at Florida State. I'm ready and I'm looking to compete at my peak performance. I feel I'm getting faster. The training has been tough and there have been a lot of sessions but I've been keeping up with the workload."

The build-up to the Games has been with plagued with problems with a number of international athletes withdrawing because of health and security apprehension.

But Chef de Mission Stan Douglas' assessment that the Games would be safe to compete in has allayed any fears in the Bermuda camp.

Coach Smith said: "We were nervous about the situation before we heard Stan Douglas' feedback.

"There are some issues with the mosquito outbreak but I gather they are working diligently to get that removed. (Stan) said the security is also very high and that's good to hear."

Burch echoed Smith's sentiments regarding the Games' safety.

"This tends to happen when Games come around. There's always talk about the bad parts. I try and keep that out of my psyche because when you think about the bad things your preparations can be affected.

"I'm trying to stay positive and think about how good things can be," he said.

Thomson believed some of the negative stories in the media had perhaps been overhyped and was confident the organisers would have finished the preparations in time for the opening ceremony.

Last week Bermuda long jumper Tyrone Smith admitted he had considered pulling out of the Games because of the dengue fever outbreak in Delhi.

But after reading Douglas' report Smith said he was satisfied he would not be putting his health at risk.

"I'll definitely be going to the Games and the excitement is starting to build again. Stan's report has put my mind at rest and now I can just concentrate on my performance."

Also making the trip to the Games is sprinter Tre Houston along with four tennis players – Gavin Manders, David Thomas, Tara Lambert and Jacklyn Lambert. Nick Kyme will fly the flag for Bermuda's squash community.

CAC Games bronze medalist Ross Roberts will compete in the shooting, and will be joined by Sinclair Raynor, Carl Reid and Nelson Simons.

The Commonwealth Games will run from October 3 -14.