Troy Douglas' efforts on the track have not gone unnoticed in his adopted homeland.

The Bermuda-born sprinter has been nominated for the Athlete of the Year award in his home city of Denhage in Holland.

The 40-year-old runner's selection on the short list for the top honour is in recognition of a creditable 2002 season which included a seventh place in the 200-metre final at the European Championships and a semi-final spot in the 100 metres at the same meet.

Come Monday night at a dinner and awards ceremony, Douglas will learn if he is indeed Denhage's top sports personality for last year. Among those also in the running for the title are the local football club and a gymnast who was part of Holland's team at the European Championships.

“I have some tough opposition because a lot of pretty good sportspersons have come out of this city. Just the nomination and being invited to the banquet is a huge compliment - even if I don't win.

“It's something I can use in a positive way for myself and for my sport. I'm looking to do more things for athletics in Denhage so I see this as an opportunity to network and build up contacts and help sport in this city and the country,” Douglas told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

Though he won one of the sports council's quarterly awards a few years ago this is his first nomination for the annual title in Holland's third-largest city.

Douglas, who recently returned from a training camp in South Africa, will open his season soon at a sprint invitational meet organised by Nelle Coumans, one of Holland's former top athletes. He intends to continue competing internationally until next year's Olympics in Athens, Greece.