"This is just the beginning," declared Tamika Williams as she prepared for the biggest few days in her life.

The Bermudian middle distance runner is set to make her international debut at the Commonwealth Games next week, representing the Island in the 800 metres.

And what she lacks in experience the 23-year-old makes up for in self-confidence.

Certainly she is not heading to Manchester, England just to make up the numbers.

"I see myself going to the World Championships and Pan Ams next year and the Olympics in 2004. Hopefully making the finals or even being on the podium," said the California-based athlete. "I am only 23 and if you know anything about 800 metres and distance runners most of them are 26 and up and I am just starting.

"My legs are fresh. I haven't run for years. Most people my age who are in track and field have been running since they were 12-years-old or earlier.

"I ran a little bit while I was in Bermuda when I was younger, the Bank of Butterfield Mile and some cross country races, but I pretty much stopped running after the age of 14.

"I haven't put a lot of stress on my body so my legs have tonnes of distance left to do."

Williams runs for the same Nike Farm team as fellow Island athlete Ashley Couper.

And she believes leaving Bermuda and joining up with some of the best up and coming runners in the US has done her the world of good.

"I now consider myself a world class runner, an elite runner. I wasn't that last year," she said. "There is a team of at least 50 runners now and I think you can consider it an Olympic development team for middle distance and distance running in the United States.

"You have the majority of the best runners training at this one place, on one team with the best coaches in the US.

"To be able to be in the sort of environment gets you extremely excited."

Williams trains at Stanford College, a venue that stages many high profile meets.

"Every two weeks this Spring there has been a major meet," she said. "To be able to see the best of the best running there and to be a part of that makes you realise what it takes and you get really thrilled.

"The indoor record holder for the US in the 800 metres and one of the top runners in the world right now, Nicole Teeter, is on my team. You are like `Wait, I am one of these people now. I can do this too.'"

With that in mind Williams does not believe the Commonwealth Games should hold any great fear for her.

"I do not think it will be a huge difference. For instance when I set the national record for Bermuda in qualifying for the Games among the people in my race were Canadian Diane Cummins and a few Kenyans and Jamaicans who are going to be on the same track as me in Manchester.

"The only thing they have on me right now is more experience.

"This is my first international competition in running - I have never been to the Carifta Games or the CAC Games.

"My one fear is having to run three days in a row and perhaps my final time not being as fast as round one of the heats, but it's all experience and I am just looking forward to it.

"People are like `this is the Commonwealth Games' but it's not the end for me, it's the beginning."