It now appears that only two track and field athletes will represent Bermuda when the London Olympics get underway later this month; long jumpers Tyrone Smith, who has qualified, and Aranxta King, who has been given a wild card.But, given how some of the Island’s youngsters have performed both at the Carifta Games in Bermuda earlier this year and last week’s Junior Central American and Caribbean Championships in El Salvador, it could be a much different story in Brazil four years from now.Middle distance runner Kyra Scraders returned with two golds (Under-17 800 metres and 1500 metres) in a meet which is considered just as, even more in some observers’ opinion, competitive as Carifta.Justin Donawa, gold medallist at Carifta, snatched silver in the triple jump, there was a silver for Shaquille Dill (Under-20 400 metres) and a bronze for Taylor-Ashley Bean (Under-20 3000 metres).Add in the ever-improving Aaron Evans (800 metres), who still harbours hopes of the trip to London with one more chance to qualify this weekend, and sprinter Tre Houston, who will both claim they have yet to reach their peak, there’s every chance that the athletic contingent flying to South America in 2016 will be the largest in Bermuda’s Olympic history.And there’s others who continue to excel such as sprinter Kyle Webb who advanced to both the 100 and 200 metres finals in El Salvador with personal bests. He will join Dill at this weekend’s World Junior Championships in Barcelona, Spain.Track and field continues to flourish in Bermuda with every meet and looking at the smiles of those who walked out of the airport following the flight from Miami on Tuesday evening, it’s clear there’s a sense of pride and achievement, indicating this current crop of athletes have the required ambition to take their talents to another level.Already some of them are stamping their authority among the best juniors in the Caribbean, and we all know how the Caribbean has traditionally produced some of the best runners and jumpers who have performed on the world stage.What’s noticeable is that personal bests continue to flow.And with every improvement comes the incentive to run faster, jump further and higher.Even in four years’ time, some of these Bermuda athletes will be continuing to improve. There’s staggering potential among the Bermuda Track and Fields Association ranks.Much has been said of the investment made into our two national sports, cricket and football, and there’s been much debate over whether taxpayers’ money has been well spent.But if Government want to make a long-term investment in sport, track and field must be high on their list of priorities.Those in both cricket and football could learn a lot from the enthusiasm and commitment shown by those who have displayed such precocious talent this year.If that commitment continues there’s no reason why athletes the calibre of Bermuda’s past Olympians such as Clarence (Nicky) Saunders, Brian Wellman and Troy Douglas won’t emerge from the current BTFA programme.This year’s junior achievements augur well for the future of the sport.* * * *Sadly, one of those who won’t be here to watch their progress is Royal Gazette photographer Tamell Simons whose sudden death last week shocked to the core of all of those in these offices.Often the death of a work colleague hits home just as much as the passing of close friends.We see each other almost every day. Then suddenly there’s a void that can never be filled.Certainly nobody will step into Tamell’s shoes. He loved his lens as he loved life.As he strode by my desk, many times a day, it would be the same booming voice echoing around the room A-D-R-I-A-N, emphasising every letter individually.As much as we laughed together, he knew this ritual was irritating and that’s why he did it!But what I’d give to hear that voice one more time.ADRIAN ROBSON