yesterday, following a momentous two week stint in Atlanta for the centennial Olympic Games.

Sailors Peter Bromby and Lee White and several squad officials were given red carpet treatment as they disembarked a Delta Airlines plane.

The group was greeted by a host of dignitaries, including acting Premier Quinton Edness, community and cultural affairs minister Yvette Swan, sports minister Tim Smith and sports director Brenton Roberts.

Once through immigration and customs they were given a rousing welcome of cheers and applause by a small group of supporters waiting outside the terminal.

And while the exploits of record-setting Canadian sprinter Donovan Bailey and American counterpart Michael Johnson may have highlighted the event, the two Star-class sailors were credited for their part.

"Our athletes certainly did not bring home the gold, as they would say, but as any athlete would tell you there are two critical dreams that come along with the Olympics: one is to participate; and the second is actually to win the gold,'' said Smith, who was in Atlanta for the first week and a half of the Games.

"I think all out athletes are very proud to have participated in this 1996 Olympics, there is, of course, some disappointment in our placement, but overall and putting it in the context of 197 nations we have athletes that are in the top ten and the top 20 in some events and that is something that each athlete and Bermuda should be proud of.

While noting the problems with transportation, computer glitches and other logistical errors on the part of organisers, Smith said that all were eventually sorted out, making the experience a memorable one.

Asked if Bermuda's preparations for Sydney, Australia, and the 2000 Games would now commence, Smith responded affirmatively.

"Our work never ends, so we will be working very closely with Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA) on preparing Bermuda and Bermuda's athletes for the future.'' Meanwhile, Chef de Mission Phil Guishard likewise praised the athletes for their hard work, sacrifice and effort but addmitted the results fell short of expectations.

BOA president Austin Woods had earlier predicted two medals for the Island but the best outcome was a sixth place finish by Brian Wellman in the triple jump.

"They were disappointed in their showing and we commiserate with them, because we know that they gave it their best in the events that they participated in, but unfortunately it just wasn't their day,'' said Guishard.

Was it a lack of funding? Does Bermuda need a sports `super fund' to promote Bermuda's athletes? Are the necessary facilities available to produce world-class athletes. Guishard said the answers to those questions were not as simple as `Yes' or `No'.

"After any event like this there must be a sitting down of the people who make decisions, there should be an assessment of what has occurred and at the same time a determination of what can be done to minimise the situation where one doesn't perform at one's best,'' he responded.

"That is not to say that all that could have been done this time around was done, nor is it to say the opposite. It's just a matter of sitting down and critiquing what has occurred to see if there are others things we can do to improve the chances of our athletes.'' Guishard called on Bermudians to acknowledge the performances of Bromby and White, as well as those carried out by Paula Lewin in the Europe Dinghy sailing class, cyclist Elliot Hubbard, equestrienne Suzy Dunkley and track and field participants Wellman and Troy Douglas.

He specifically highlighted the exploits of Douglas in the 200 and 400 metres, where the runner set national records.

Guishard, the man charged with making sure the athletes arrived at the right place at the right time, was prodded for an opinion regarding the organisation -- or lack thereof -- of the Games, originally billed as the biggest and best ever.

"Any comments made in that regard must really be taken in the context that these Games involved 197 countries. This is a large undertaking and inevitably there are going to be glitches,'' he said.

"As far as the transportation mess is concerned I would only say to you that just this morning on our way to the airport I was the one who actually showed the bus driver which way to go.

"Transportation is the number one problem at any Games of this nature and it is important that organisers recognise this early and take very definite steps to do something about it.'' The other seven Olympians either returned to training bases elsewhere around the world or arrived on earlier flights.

More on the Olympics, Page 17 HOME SWEET HOME -- Olympic sailors Lee White (back) and Peter Bromby depart their plane after arriving in Bermuda from Atlanta yesterday.