These last two weeks has been a joy watching the world’s elite athletes battle it out in their various events as the Olympics took over England.These Olympic Games just emphasised how exceptional one must be to dominate the world in their respective sport. Hence, the reasons why I sit in awe at the accomplishment by Clarence Hill our boxing legend.When you think of all the great athletes Bermuda has had over the years and to realise that we have had only one person in the history of the Olympics to win a medal speaks volumes of his accomplishment. However, what did we do to recognise him? If I am correct it was only recently, a few years ago, that we gave him the ceremony he truly deserved. But was that really enough?As I sit here in England mesmerised by the phenomenal Olympic Games, I am even more in awe of what Great Britain did as a small token of appreciation for their gold medal athletes. Each Great Britain gold medal recipient is being honorued with their very own pictured postage stamp to ensure that they are recognised countrywide for their achievements.This not only inspired the current Olympians but also inspired the up and coming athletes as displayed on numerous interviews on television.The Olympic Games should have also inspired our young athletes to want to excel. It just marvels me how everywhere else in the world people get inspired and excited when they see world class athletes but that excitement just doesn’t seem to be a part of the Bermudian make-up.Swimming clubs, track clubs, boxing clubs and many others are talking about the increased interest in how to get involved. Here is a quote from one enthusiast, “If they can do it so can I, don’t be surprised if you see me at the next Olympics”.Although we didn’t win a medal at these Games, the same inspiration hit me when I saw my fellow Bermudians competing.The joy, the sense of pride and honour to watch these athletes overwhelmed me as they did their best representing our country.I was extremely proud to be Bermudian and I want them all to know that they did us proud.However, one question keeps nagging at me, and that is how can we bridge the gap so that our athletes can be even more successful and be on the medal podium?My wish list is for our Government to step in and give our athletes a major incentive to achieve a medal at the next Olympic Games. It happens worldwide so why can’t we jump on that bandwagon.Can you imagine if you are a Bermuda athlete training for the Olympics knowing that if you medal, your country will present you with something memorable? Perhaps a stadium named after you, a condo, a car of your choice or a day named after you for your accomplishments.These are all examples of some rewards given to other top athletes who have gone on and excelled in their respective sports.The time has come where we must start thinking outside of the box for our athletes. After watching these Olympics it is clear that we need better programmes in place to assist our elite athletes.Money needs to be found so that our athletes can properly prepare. Is our coaching good enough or do our athletes need more exposure? What is it that is stopping Bermudians from excelling? You cannot tell me it can’t be done because Clarence Hill did it.Many thought qualifying for Cricket World Cup was impossible but it was done. How? Superb coaching, hard work, good team unity and execution were the basis around which the team trained and were successful.Some thought we would all be given a plot of land, wishful thinking; others thought a car or a bike, but that wasn’t the case either.What we did receive for such a feat was in my eyes unacceptable but we were not a team that played for incentives but instead for pride.At the end of the day for an Island so small we have to be willing to give our athletes the best training possible if we are to break this cycle of great potential.Planning and training must start now for the next Olympics and we need some expert advice on how to get the best out of our athletes.One only has to look at Great Britain as an example again as to how they brought in a coach, Charles Van Commenee, specifically for athletics, who had high standards of his track team.It is coaches like Charles who Bermuda must seek out, ones who have high standards for themselves and also hold themselves accountable.Charles failed to get Britain eight medals and is seriously considering stepping down for failure to deliver on his expectations.The next Summer Olympics is four years away and I hope and encourage all of our athletes to look to excel in their trade. The next four years should be about hard work and dedication to build on our talents, like never before.You only have to talk to Clarence Hill to see what he sacrificed to achieve his medal. At the end of the day it will all be worth it.