The head of Bermuda Track and Field Association was overjoyed with confirmation yesterday that top sprinter Jeneko Place has qualified for the World Youth Olympics in the 200 metres.

BTFA president Donna Watson said: "I just want to advise as to what a big thing this is for Bermuda. For Jeneko to qualify he did not have to make a qualifying time but had to beat out athletes in the USA, Canada, Central American countries (e.g. Cuba) and the 26 Carifta countries including Jamaica.

"The Youth Olympics is a regional meet meaning that the athletes will be representing their region."

Bermuda is part of the North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC).

"Trials were held in each region with ours being the Carifta Games and the top athletes were selected based on their times in each event to represent their region. Out of our region Jeneko had the top second time in the 200 metres.

"Unfortunately each athlete can only compete in one event (at the Youth Olympics). This is a very big accomplishment for Bermuda as we did not think we were going to get anyone – as you can imagine this is a tough assignment to qualify in this region as we have all of the powerhouses in track and field in our area."

Watson said that Place's spot at the Youth Olympics this summer in Singapore was confirmed by the president of the NACAC, Teddy Cook.

He wrote to Watson saying: "Your athlete Janeko Place has qualified to participate in the men's 200 metres at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore."

Place had a fantastic Carifta Games in the Cayman Islands earlier this year when he won two silver medals in the Under-17 boys 100 and 200 metres and posted personal best times in both events.

That performance also qualified him for the World Youth Championships.

Place will join fellow track athlete Taylor Ashley Bean.

Bean won the bronze medal this year in the 3,000 metres at the Carifta Games but in Singapore she will be competing in the 1,000 metres.

Bermuda Sailing Association have also qualified a sailor in the Byte class for the Youth Olympics following a regatta in the Cayman Islands earlier this year.

It is still to be decided who will represented the Island in Singapore.

BSA chief Somers Cooper said: "There will be a selection regatta. The particulars have yet to be worked out but the Byte organisation will make a recommendation to the BSA and I imagine that we will have that regatta over a couple of weekends in late June and early July."

The Youth Olympics will be staged from August 14-26.

Bermuda will also still be trying to qualify more athletes for the Singapore Games as there are 26 sports participating including basketball, boxing, cycling, equestrian, football, gymnastics, swimming and tennis.