Jon Beard believes the success, or failure, of Bermuda’s hosting of the Island Games in two years will all come down to transport and accommodation.The chairman of the Bermuda Island Games Association returned from last week’s competition in the Isle of Wight full of ideas for the 2013 event, and a few concerns as well.Chief among those was how to find affordable accommodation for nearly 2,000 athletes on an island which doesn’t really have any. Having a cruise ship anchored at Front Street for the duration of the Games was one idea, but that was quickly ruled out when organiers were told it would cost upwards of $4 million to arrange.“The biggest issue is simply getting accommodation at a rate that these other islands can afford,” said Beard, “because, for them, the air fare is at least double what they are used to paying. Sadly the accommodation is probably at least double what they are used to paying, as well. Food is going to be more expensive than what they are used to paying.“So, for us it’s just trying to work with hotels and airlines and just trying to whittle those costs down. We’re aiming for about 1,500 to 2,000 athletes. There’s no way we’re going to get 3,000 athletes, and wouldn’t expect it.“We’re into using schools, Warwick Camp, home-stays, hotels, whatever we can do. It’s just a question of cost. I haven’t been to a Games where accommodation and transportation haven’t been the biggest problem. The simplest answer would be a cruise ship on Front Street, that would solve everything, but our quotes have been $4 million and $5 million.“And of course, it’s not that we’ve got to pay it, but you’re not going to attract athletes in if they have to pay that sort of a cost.”Beard knows that he and his team have a lot of work to do to make sure the Bermuda Games are a success, but he also knows that the framework is there to ensure it is.“For me, our venues are in great shape, compared to Isle of Wight, and that’s not a criticism of Isle of Wight. They did a very good Games, fortunately the weather was good, and that’s got to be 90 percent of it,” he said.“All of our venues are superior to what I saw there. The issue they had, and it’s one in every Games I’ve been to, is that of transport. They’ve a budget for transport, and everybody gets there and they all want what they want, each island wants their own bus, and that’s not possible.“And that was definitely an issue, particularly on as island that is five times bigger than Bermuda. The question everyone asks us is, ‘is it going to be any easier in Bermuda?’“I think our positive side is that most of our events are going to be fairly close together, using Hamilton as the base. That’s the one thing we got from it. We know we’ve got a hell of a lot of work to do in two years, but that’s just the name of the game.”Whatever happens, Bermuda as an island are going to have to buy into the Games for them to be a success, and that starts with needing some 1,000 volunteers to help make sure everything runs smoothly.Beard though knows that the Games will give the Island’s fans the opportunity to watch a high level of competition, and allow the Island’s athletes to prove they deserve their elite tag on home soil.“The Games is a good level of competition, particularly for Bermuda, because you’re not going in there and getting your ass kicked,” said Beard. “I think the one thing I got from it (last week) . . . talking to Cayman and their attitude is, if you (athletes) can’t dominate at the Island Games, then don’t come to us for funding.“Particularly for elite athletes, people were telling them they were this, that and the other. You stick them into top level competition and they don’t do well, but you’re not sure if they are good athletes.“Whereas what Cayman are doing is using the Island Games, seeing if their athletes can dominate there, if you can’t, then you’re not a top athlete. If you can’t dominate on a level playing field, you’re sure as heck are not going to be a top athlete.”