Childhood friends Tyler Butterfeld and Zander Kirkland have long dreamed of competing together at the Olympics.And that dream will finally become a reality this summer when both men represent Bermuda in their chosen sport in England.Sailor Zander is competing in the 49er Skiff along with junior sibling Jesse while Butterfield will fly the Island’s banner in the men’s triathlon.All three athletes qualified for the upcoming Games last month.Zander and Butterfield are very close friends, and it isn’t difficult to figure out why.They were born a day apart, both attended Saltus Grammar School and also competed in football and cross-country together.“Zander was born February 11 and me the 12th and we have been friends since birth,” Butterfield said. “We grew up together and Jesse was always around too.”Zander said he and Butterfield “go way back”.“My dad (Malcolm) met my mum (Martha) because of Ty’s mom (Debbie),” Zander added. “Debbie was my mum’s room-mate in Boston and was dating Jim Butterfield (future husband) who my dad was living with on a part-time basis in Boston in their post-college years in the mid-seventies.“So growing up we hung out a lot as kids, messing around the neighbourhood on BMX bikes, in tree forts, palmetto forests, and in boats. We both went to Saltus from 1988 to 1999. We were Interschool Cross-Country Team National Champions in ‘96.“We also played football together at Hotels FC in the mini minor B Division in the early/mid nineties. During one summer, in 1995 we went to a soccer camp together in Suffield Academy.“For High School we both went abroad, Ty to Australia and me to the US. But we always stayed in touch and met up whenever we were home.”Zander and Tyler had hoped to compete together at the 2004 Athens Games. But that dream never materialised as Zander came up short in Olympic qualification in the Laser class.“Zander and I were also aiming and dreaming of going to Athens together to,” Butterfield said. “I received a wild card from the ITU for triathlon but Zander just missed going in the Laser sailing boat class.”Zander admitted coming up short was a bitter pill to swallow.“It hurt, but at least Ty made it,” he said. “When I tried to make it to the Athens Games in the Laser, Ty was campaigning in the triathlon and we wanted to both be there. “Unfortunately I had a tough 2004 World Laser Championships and didn’t qualify.”Butterfield is delighted that he and his childhood friend will now get the opportunity to live their dream of competing on the Olympic stage together in the UK.“Eight years later we both get to go and realise that dream and it is amazing to think Zander will be racing on the world stage with his brother Jesse,” he said. “Those two are amazing.“I’m so proud of what they have accomplished and in a very short time. These guys are the real deal, Bermuda is proud.”Zander echoed his friend’s sentiments.“We are so excited to be heading to London with Ty,” he said. “He is so positive and full of energy and it will fun to hang out with him in the Olympic environment.”It is perhaps goes without saying that Butterfield is a big fan of the Kirklands.“When I told him the idea of Jesse and I going together in the 49er for London 2012 in mid 2009, he was stoked for us,” Zander said. “Not only would it be an opportunity for us to be at Olympics together, but Ty liked the modern design and speed of the 49er.“He was always the sailor that liked going fast, Optimists were too slow for him! He actually saw one of our first sails in the boat and has pictures of us when we were pretty green in the boat. Ty had faith in us.”