Rising heptathlon star Shianne Smith is on the fast track to reach the 2012 London Olympics and in line for elite athlete funding following her breakthrough campaign

Smith, 23, has outlined her huge potential this season with a bronze medal at the recent CAC Championships and continues her athletics education at this weekend's International Track Grand Prix in Colombia.

The California State student will be competing alongside Bermuda Olympian Tyrone Smith in South America and under the watchful eye of legendary local triple jumper Brian Wellman who is travelling as an advisor. "My season is pretty much coming to an end now so I'm just going to Colombia for the experience," said Smith, who will take part in the long jump and 200 metre hurdles.

"I haven't met Tyrone Smith or Brian Wellman before so I'm also looking forward to that. It's been a successful season and the highlight was definitely winning the bronze medal in the CAC Games ... the Olympics are my long-term aim now."

"I've broken the national heptathlon record twice this year and the 200m hurdles record at the CACs. Hopefully I can go a little bit faster in the hurdles in Colombia and break it again."

Smith joins the likes of 800m man Aaron Evans, sprinter Tre Houston and long distance runner Sean Trott as the bright young things of Bermuda athletics.

And Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) president Donna Watson has been left in no doubt of Smith's Olympics credentials having watched her impressive showing at last month's CAC Games in Cuba.

"Shianne has been around for a while and won a bronze medal at the Island Games in Greece two years ago, but the CACs were the first time I'd really seen her in action," said Watson, who hopes to secure Smith elite athlete funding from Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA) after she finishes her athletics scholarship in January.

"I was very impressed with her attitude, diligence and discipline which are necessary characteristics when you're competing in the heptathlon. I definitely think she can push for the 2012 Olympics – it's certainly not impossible for her.

"Bermuda definitely has athletes that can compete on the world stage and I have high hopes for the likes of Shianne, Aaron Evans and Sean Trott."

Watson confirmed yesterday that long jumper Tyrone Smith would be going to the World Championships in Berlin as a wildcard next month if he didn't manage to meet the qualifying standard.

She also revealed part of her intriguing plan to attract more former Bermuda track and field stars such as high jumper Nicky Sounders, 400m runner Troy Douglas and respected coach Branwen Smith-King to become more involved in moulding the Island's future top athletes.

"I'm working on a number of things at the moment and we have some former top athletes abroad who I'd like to be involved in some capacity," said Watson.

"I think Brian Wellman will give Tyrone boost in Colombia. Even though he has a wildcard it would be great if he could qualify in his own right.

"He will be competing at high altitude and that could give him that extra bit of extra help he needs."