revered athletics meet in Atlanta, Georgia, several of his former club-mates similarly await their day of reckoning.

Bermuda Pacers Track Club, where Bean began his Olympic quest, are set to lay siege upon Walt Whitman High School in Bathesda, Maryland, hosts of the East Coast Invitational Track Meet.

This marks the 22nd anniversary of the event and Pacers' coach Cal Simons was optimistic about his contingent's ability to come close to achieving that figure in terms of medals won.

However Simons insisted it was even more vital that the athletes gain greater exposure against increased and improved competition in order to help their development.

Out of the 22 youngsters due to travel today, eight will make their debut in the competition that annually attracts more than 2,000 participants -- a far cry from the maximum couple of hundred encountered during Island meets., "They're all very enthusiastic and extremely excited about the trip,'' said Simons, one of three coaches who will accompany the group. The others are Gregory Simons and Jay Tucker.

"One of the main goals of Pacers Track Club is to give athletes some form of exposure to competitions boasting a real international flair and flavour,'' said Simons.

It also puts the older members of the group in the eyes of overseas prep school and college coaches.

Bean was one who benefited from just such exposure, practically making the East Coast Invitational his personal playground during his tenure with Pacers.

He is now a second year student at Long Beach City College in California.

The sprinter/jumper remains the only Bermudian to have been inducted into the Gold Medal Hall of Fame, awarded to those having achieved six or more first place finishes at the meet.

One of this year's highlights will be the crowning of Jarita Dill as a member of the Silver Hall, joining high-jumper Rohaan Simons, after earning four first place medals.

There are three others presently residing in the Bronze Hall -- Gina Cann, Nasir Wade and Seyoum Tuzo -- and all will be seeking to improve their status over the course of the three-day competition.

Other leading candidates for medals include sprinter Tariq Hewey, Damien Simmons and Ronika Bean, who broke the long standing girls' under-13 high-jump record at this year's high school championships.

"There's a lot of quality among the group,'' said Simons.

"But the key ingredients that all have shown have been consistency and dedication to the task. They made up their minds that this is where they want to be.'' The team will compete in 52 events in all, most on the the track.

Squad: Boys -- Antonio Lowe, Delmari Scott, Reggie Walcott, Gabriel Wilkinson, Kemal Hewey, Tariq Hewey, Nasir Wade, Henry Talbot, James Lister, Damien Simmons, Vernal Lambe.

Girls: Natasha Simmone, Janae Dillas, Kristin Eve, Janine Scott, Ronika Bean, Latisha Perinchief, Donneka Simmons, Latanya Dickinson, Gina Cann, Jarita Dill, Patrina Swan.