despite the fact that he ran the official qualifying time.

James was one of three athletes given a final chance by Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA) to make the grade for the Sydney Games at this weekend's Canada Dry Canadian National Championships in Victoria, British Colombia.

Running in heat three of the event on Saturday, James hit the B category qualifying time for smaller Olympic nations of 10.40 seconds on the button.

But unfortunately the run was wind-assisted and so the time was not allowed to stand.

Clocking the ninth fastest finish in the heats, James was one hundredth of a second and one place away from making the final which was eventually won by 1999 World Championship silver medallist Bruny Surin who finished in a time of 10.05 seconds -- his best of the year so far.

James' father El said though his son would not be going to Australia he was nonetheless proud of his achievement, given the fact that he had only recently returned from a niggling muscle injury.

"He is the type of person who is always looking to bigger and better things,'' he said.

"He has just come off an injury and has done very little training and he has also had the flu. So to come and run under the qualifying time shows him he is right now.'' "Although he will not be able to participate in the Olympics this time he is looking to the next Olympics and all other competitions inbetween,'' he added.

BOA president Austin Woods said he was equally proud of James.

"Bermuda is all excited about this young man's efforts in that he has performed so well against the odds,'' he said.

James also ran in the 200 metres but was unable to make the Games grade for the event.

Along with James, 1,500 metre runner Terence Armstrong and long jumper Devon Bean were also given the opportunity to race in Canada.

While it appeared that Armstrong did not attend the event, Bean was well short of making the Olympic mark in his discipline.

Needing to achieve a jump of 7.95 metres, he could only leap 6.88. The event was won by Ian Lowe of Saint-Laurent with a jump of 7.70.

Bermuda's squad for next month's Games is now confirmed and consists of equestrienne Mary Jane Tumbridge, swimmer Stephen Fahy, sailors Sara Lane Wright, Peter Bromby and Lee White and triple jump specialist Brian Wellman.

Despite the setbacks and the fact Bermuda are sending three less athletes to Australia than they did to Atlanta in 1996, the squad is still rated as a good crop of talent and there is genuine hope a medal may be won.

Phil Guishard will accompany the squad as chef-de-mission and team manager and he will be joined by eight other officials.

The team will begin departing around August 25, with the Games officially getting underway on September 15.