Bermuda's public should not look at the placings of its athletes at blue riband events such as the Pan- Am Games with derision, but should hail their presence on the start line as an achievement in itself.

That was the view of Ashley Couper after she came in seventh in the 1500 metres final in the Dominican Republic on Thursday night.

In all three track events Bermuda's athletes have found the going tough.

On Thursday night it was Couper, on Thursday morning and earlier in the week it was Xavier James in the 200 metres and 100 metres respectively and on Wednesday it was 800 metre runner Tamika Williams.

“We are at a Games where every country is sending their best athlete and we are a very small country and don't have a lot of people to pick from,” Couper said.

“I think Bermudians should be proud that we have athletes even here at all.

“There are some countries that cannot find anybody for any of the events because they haven't qualified. So I think that Bermuda, even if they look at the results and see all of us halfway down, should still be proud that they have athletes that are out there representing their country.”