Former national cycling coach Greg Hopkins has thrown his support behind Bermuda's participation in this summer's Small Island Games, claiming the competition will help boost athletes' confidence and encourage more sponsors to support the various local sports.

Hopkins, who has travelled extensively to all of the world's major Games over the past decade and continues to coach many of Bermuda's leading cyclists, says it is the smaller events such as the World 'B' Championships and the Caribbean Championships that have done most to increase the standard of local cycling.

And he believes the Small Island Games, to be held in Guernsey in June, will provide an ideal platform for some of Bermuda's most promising riders to test their ability on the international stage.

Hopkins comments follow those of Bermuda Track and Field Association president Judith Simmons who was widely criticised last week after she suggested that standards at the Island Games would be too low to warrant sending a track and field team.

Bermuda will be represented by more than 100 sportsmen and sportswomen in some 10 sports, but not track and field.

"I have been to smaller competitions such as the World 'B' Championships and the Caribbean Championships, and I have seen the many benefits to athletes and their sports by competing at a level where they are not only competitive but are medal hopes," said Hopkins.

"Look at cycling, the interest that has been generated in representing Bermuda internationally as well as the growth of the sport and the standard of the sport generally because of what has been achieved in recent years by our riders overseas is a clear indication that getting results, albeit not at the Olympics, is immense.

"This spills over into public support and interest, confidence by corporate sponsors, increased support from Government and the BOA and more."

Hopkins said he believed athletes should still strive to qualify for the major Games but had witnessed first hand how some of Bermuda's representatives had become despondent when their performances failed to match those of the world's elite.

"I have seen the tremendous enthusiasm of athletes at the Olympics, Pan-Am and Commonwealth Games, who despite the wonderful achievement of 'getting there' so to speak, leave somewhat disheartened and disappointed when their results are clearly not of the standard of many of the worlds athletes," he added.

"I strongly believe there should be a mixture. Yes, aim for the top, but just as importantly compete at a level where they can come away with the results and receive accolades they fully deserve.

"This is happening with cyclists and the sport is growing because of it.

"The Island Games present a wonderful opportunity to do this for all our sports and especially track and field who clearly could do with boosting the confidence and support of athletes and the public alike."