weekly meeting of the Hamilton Lions Club.

Secretary Mrs. Barbara Thompson said insufficient funds and a lack of Government commitment would force them to miss out on internationally organised competition.

"Special Olympics is a year-round sports training and athletic competition to develop physical fitness,'' she explained. "(It allows) the sharing of gifts and skills with families and other athletes.'' Mrs. Thompson said the body was founded in the United States in 1968, and established in Bermuda in 1981 by Mrs. Ann Wainwright with only 16 athletes.

"There are now 65 and we look forward to catering to the 200 that I know are here. Many people don't want their relatives involved because they think there is a stigma attached to Special Olympics.'' Mrs. Thompson said a squad of 27 attended an international competition in Indianapolis, Indiana, last year at a cost of more than $25,000.

"There were 6,000 participants from all over the world,'' she said. "We returned with 14 medals -- four gold, six silver and four bronze. We took 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th place ribbons. We did a tremendous job and enjoyed ourselves at the same time.

"When we returned, no-one from Government was at the airport to greet us. It was very disappointing to both the organisers and the athletes...(and despite appeals to Government) we were forced to let our national director go this year because of insufficient funds.'' The group will also miss out on the winter games to be held next year in Austria because of insufficient funds, she said. But the group is anticipating attending the 1994 regional games in Curacao.

Mrs. Thompson said this attitude contrasts sharply with other governments which helped participants with travelling costs, costs of the required uniforms and other expenses.

She added that the groups's next venture would be the international games in Europe in 1995 at which time she "anticipated increased support from the total Bermuda Community.'' Mrs. Thompson said 1991 was also a landmark year because of the introduction of unified sports -- competition between equal numbers of athletes with and without mental retardation of similar ability and age.

"It's important because it expands sports opportunities and increases inclusion in the community by breaking the barriers keeping (mentally challenged) people apart (from other community members).'' She asked that residents show their concern and lend their support to the group's annual torch run to be held on April 25-26. The event will end with the Special Olympic games at Warwick Sec field.