training base.

The team, who compete in the 4x100 metre and 4x400 metre relays, have been on the Island since early November and have already confirmed their intention to return in March.

"We have been impressed with the facilities at the National Stadium and everyone has been helpful and very friendly,'' said 400 metre runner Rafik Elouardi.

"We would like to come back for three or four weeks although it depends on the competition schedule -- the first is in May. We will see what our plans are.

"We have been many, many places, but I think we would like to make Bermuda our permanent venue, although it depends on other people.'' An additional attraction has been the standard of running among local youngsters.

"We found a lot of good runners here,'' added Elouardi, who with his coach Peter Duerer and team-mates conducted three clinics with a total of 160 children.

"We think it's important for Bermuda to develop its track and field.

"A good sprinter has a special way to run: it's difficult to explain, but it's a mixture of elasticity and coolness. It's very important that a good runner shows that he or she likes running. We have seen a lot of that here. We had some races and some of the girls, in particular, were very fast.

"Our coach has a good eye for such things and he knows when he sees someone train what they can do.

And he added: "Because Bermuda is near the US a lot of the students are going to college in America and in the US there is more motivation in sports than in Europe. Here, they have more potential because they know they can go to school to improve their sports.'' The team, whose training is aimed towards successful performances in the Sydney 2000 Olympics, are flying back to Vienna shortly after Christmas.