BERMUDA'S performance at the 2006 Commonwealth Games has been "simply fantastic".

So said Bermuda Olympic Association chief John Hoskins this week.

Hoskins, who is in Melbourne, Australia with the team, said: "The athletes are doing ever so well. It has been a exceptional performance from them ? I am extremely pleased."

But Hoskins was disappointed by one thing ? the fact that people in Bermuda have not been able to watch the athletes perform at the Games on TV.

"I do know that the TV coverage worldwide has been very good ? it is a pity that we can't get it in Bermuda. I suppose it is one of those things. We are a bit unlucky at being as little as we are. I would have thought people could have picked up coverage on the Canadian channels."

Bermuda's Chef de Mission at the Games, Philip Guishard, said: "It is unfortunate that people in Bermuda can't watch the Games on TV but they (Games organisers) offered the rights all over the place ? although I am not sure to whom ? but if people didn't take advantage of them that is the price you pay. It is unfortunate."

And Guishard said hopefully Bermuda will get the TV rights for the next Games in four years time. "These Games are been very exciting and I think the next will also be very exciting for us again especially with our younger athletes coming through and getting more experienced."

Like Hoskins, Guishard said he was overjoyed with the performances of Bermuda's athletes Down Under. "We are very, very pleased with the performances. In a nutshell, we certainly feel we can smile on our return to Bermuda. We have had a number of successes in different areas and we haven't finished yet," he said referring to this weekend when Katura Horton Perinchief will be diving and cyclists Tyler Butterfield, Julia Hawley and Geri Mewett will compete in the gruelling road race ? one of the last events before Sunday's Closing Ceremony.

BOA president Hoskins said the fact that the athletes have been doing so well Down Under at these Games is a testament to how good the various the junior programmes are. "A lot of sports in Bermuda are well organised and have good junior programmes like the gymnastics and triathlon and also the cycling," he said. "And the fact that athletes are recording personal bests and breaking national records only shows how dedicated they are. Hopefully the younger athletes in Bermuda will be inspired by the performances we are seeing in Australia. We have seen the gymnasts come here and do their thing and get into the finals. When they get home and talk to the younger gymnasts hopefully it will raise the enthusiasm even more and they can go on to the next level. You hope the programme will get bigger and bigger and also hope that the Government will recognise this and give these athletes more funding to help them along the way."

While praising all the athletes representing Bermuda, Hoskins had special words for triathlete Flora Duffy, swimmer Kiera Aitken and 1500 metres runner Ashley Couper.

"Flora did so well ? she was leading coming out of the swim and often led in parts of the cycling. She did fantastically well," he said of the teenager who finished in eighth place beating a number of the world's best. "She is only 18 and the best is still to come from her. She has great potential ? there is no question about that. It is going to be very interesting to see what the future holds."

Of Aitken who made the final of the 50 metres backstroke and broke national records along the way, Hoskins said: "I think there is a possibility that Kiera may go away to school in Barcelona where there are very good (swim) programmes. The opportunities are out there and if they work hard and get recognition who knows where it could all end. And I know there will also be more opportunities available after these Games."

Aitken has, for the past four years, competed for Dalhousie University where she was on a swimming scholarship.

Of Couper who made the final of the 1500 metres and also recorded a personal best and a new national record, Hoskins said: "She ran very hard. I believe that she had previously said she would retire after these Games but now she is rethinking that. I hope she does because she still has so much to offer."

Chef de Mission Guishard said of Aitken: "I think we saw in 2004 when she won her heat at the Athens Olympics what Kiera is all about. She certainly proved herself yet again at these Games."

Praising Couper, he said:"And I think Ashley has a renewed spirit after her performance in final of the 1500 metres and may stay on. I hope so. In the final she showed just how much guts she had."

Of Duffy, Guishard said: "Her performance was excellent and she is still very young and has a number of years ahead of her. She is a fantastic athlete ? I can't put it any other way."

Guishard said most of the athletes will be attending Sunday's Closing Ceremony before returning to Bermuda next week.

"The cyclists may decide to skip the Closing Ceremony since they will finish just before it and will have to get back and change. And also that road race is tough and they may want to rest. But I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see them turn up. There is a great spirit here in the Bermuda team."