David Darrell, Tahje Taylor, Tiara DeRosa and Susanna Armano will represent Bermuda at next month’s Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa, the Bermuda Olympic Association have confirmed.

Darrell, Taylor and DeRosa are track and field athletes while Armano is squash player.

Calvin Simons, the chef de mission, will accompany the quartet to the competition, which runs from September 5 to 11.

“The Commonwealth Youth Games are a fantastic opportunity for our younger athletes who may be on the path to elite status to compete internationally and test their skills against some of the best young athletes in the world,” Judy Simons, BOA president, said.

“The Games will also provide these four, young Bermudians with a unique opportunity to meet and interact with peers from around the globe.

“We know David, Tahje, Tiara and Susanna will do us proud.”

Donna Watson, the president of the Bermuda National Athletics Association, who just returned on the weekend from China where she voted in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) elections, said it will be a good experience for the athletes.

Darrell will compete in the 800 and 1500 metres, Taylor in the 100 and 200 and DeRosa in the shot put and discus.

“The age group they were looking for we didn’t have a big pool of athletes,” Watson said.

“Tahje had qualified for Carifta but pulled his hamstring the week before so he didn’t go. We were also looking for athletes who can present themselves well and Tiara has been steadily improving, David won the Front Street Mile and is improving and Tahje ran a really good time before he got injured.

“I’m pleased with the athletes chosen, it is a great opportunity for all three of them. With these events we want it to be an eye-opening experience for our young people so that they can see what is out there and what is available.”

Added Watson: “Hopefully they have been watching the World Championships so that they can see where they can go, so from our standpoint it is not always about the best but giving athletes the opportunity. It is a strange time, with school starting, so we had to write to the schools. too.

“These three were available and are quite excited about the opportunity. I talked to Tahje this morning and he’s tickled pink as he’s brand-new in the programme. For him it is fantastic to get an opportunity like this.”

Bermuda first sent a team to the 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games in Bendigo, Australia, and competed in subsequent Games in India and the Isle of Man.

Watson left Beijing prior to sprinter Tre Houston and long jumper Tyrone Smith competing in the World Championships.

“Right now they are probably both disappointed because neither probably met their goals, but I’m sure they gave 100 per cent,” she said.