Branwen Smith-King hailed the efforts of Bermuda’s contingent so far at the inaugural Junior Pan Am Games Cali, Colombia.

The Bermuda Olympic Association secretary general told The Royal Gazette that the island’s athletes have held their own competing at this level.

Bermuda’s Junior Pan Am athletes are performing outstanding at these inaugural games in Cali,” Smith-King said.

“To see them compete, respond to their rivals with grit and determination has been so impressive.

“We are all so very proud of their performances so far and they now know that they belong at this level of competition with the best athletes in the America’s.”

The performances are particularly encouraging considering a number of the island’s athletes are making their international debut.

“For many of the athletes this is their first true international competition representing Bermuda and we could not be more pleased with the results so far,” Smith-King added.

“It has been fantastic seeing them perform, bonding as a team and enjoying the experience.

“These young athletes are Bermuda’s future and everyone back home should be extremely proud of their achievements.”

Several members of the island’s 11-strong team have already seen action since the opening day of competition last Friday.

Nick Pilgrim placed 23rd in the men’s triathlon, while Jaydon Roberts finished last among 22 participants in the men’s individual recurve archery event.

Swimmers Finn Moseley and Myeisha Sharrieff placed 23rd and 28th in the men’s and women’s 100 metre butterfly. Moseley’s time of 1min 0.98sec is a new personal best.

Sharrieff also finished eighth in the “B” final of the women’s 100 metres backstroke.

Moseley was scheduled to compete in the men’s 100 metres freestyle but was ruled out through a shoulder injury.

Roberts suffered a 6-0 defeat against rival Bruno Villa in the individual recurve open men’s archery E5 final phase, while Robin Horsfield finished tied for 22nd in the men’s cross country mountain bike race.

Daniel Phillips is scheduled to play his opening match in the tennis competition today.