|-- THE BEST SPORTS DEBATE IN BERMUDA --|

Wellman, James and money

Don Burgess Ouch! There are times as a journalist I write things that hurt people. I can assure you that I don't rub my hands in glee when somebody says things that might make headline fodder, this is especially true with people I like and admire. A case in point are the two articles that have played out in the Bermuda Sun this week. Sports minister El James was talking about revamping the Elite Athletes Fund - something I fully endorse as our athletes don't nearly get the money they deserve - and used triple jumper Brian Wellman as an example. Brian called me up to complain about what the minister had said, which in the meantime put sprinter Xavier James (El's son) under the gun. I like and respect Brian, El and Xavier. Xavier called me up to wonder why he had been thrown under the bus. People are entitled to their opinions - even if I disagree with them. Brian certainly had the right to defend himself as does Xavier. I can't help but wonder how this all could have been avoided if Government hadn't been so penny pinching with the Elite Athletes Fund all these years? Brian deserved a lot more money then he got (and I mean hundreds of thousands dollars more). Xavier deserved more then he got too (not as much as Wellman, but more). The Minister is getting ready to make amends for future athletes, but the process to get there is a bit painful.

Olympic Blog: Itching to compete

By Tyrone Smith

I have now been in the Olympic Village for over a week.
The village is very nice as I said before and there are even arcades set up for the athletes along with numerous Internet cafes.
However even with all this I’m very bored due to the fact that I'm so anxious to compete.
It has now been six weeks since I last competed at the CAC championships and I'm itching to get on that runway!
Training has been going very well and I believe my coach and I have finally resolved my fouling problem, and I’m ready to put these corrections into effect.
The opening ceremony on Friday was amazing. Walking in to the stadium was of course breathtaking — I mean 204 countries of the world and 6,500 different languages and every one was thinking the exact same word...dream.
Every single person in that parade was realizing a dream walking into the stadium and at that moment I felt connected to every Olympian in history.

Olympic blog: A birthday I'll never forget

By Tyrone Smith
Well today is August 7, it’s my third day here in Beijing in my preparation for the games and also my 24th Birthday! This will surely be a birthday that I will never forget.
I didn't do anything special just the regular training session and hung out with some friends in the dining hall. Since arriving here I have just been trying to get adjusted to the time zone and it has been a challenge.
The last few nights I have woken up at 5am and not been able to get back to sleep so that's when my days have been starting.
Today I was actually able to get some sleep so I rested until 8:30am!
The people here — volunteers and athletes alike — are all so very friendly and the atmosphere is great.
The one thing I do have to say is all the media attention to the level of pollution here was spot on.
I have honestly seen the sun here just once and have yet to see the blue sky. It constantly looks foggy!
I'm not going to let that stop me! Training has been going really well and I am very anxious to compete. I'll be sure to wave to you all at the opening ceremony tomorrow!

Estwaniks win May 24... on May 26

Congratulations to Chris and Ashley Estwanik for becoming the first couple to win the May 24 race.
They are both great athletes and humble people who thoroughly deserved their victory.
Chris set a new May 24 record of 1:08,25.
Afterwards he paid tribute to the other runners: "This is everybody's day. Whether you are first or last across the line everybody has a unique experience. That's why you've got so many people running and so many more out watching."
Congratulations to all who took part.