Talk of Stephen Fahy's retirement has been greatly exaggerated.

For, while reports coming out of Sydney, Australia, following the summer Olympics suggested the top local swimmer was likely done with top level competition, Fahy this week quashed any such notion.

By swimming standards, Fahy, at 22, could well be placed in the category of veteran performer, one who might more be considering a swimming `after-life' than further competition in a sport proliferated by upstart teenagers.

But, although admittedly disappointed with his performance Down Under, where the Bermudian failed to even come close to his personal best in the 100 metres butterfly and 200 individual medley, Fahy insisted he was not about to discard the cap and goggles just yet.

"I would have liked to have done better at the Games, and I don't feel like I want to go out yet,'' he said, following a training session at the BASA pool this week organised by Harbour Club coach Stephen Castree.

"Sydney was a great experience, everything was first class down there.

"Maybe had I gone in '96 (Atlanta) it would have been less pressure to perform in Sydney, but aside from that I enjoyed the experience, which makes you hungry to go for more.

"I took a bit of time off after the Games, now I just want to get a bit of fitness back and then reevaluate where I am.

"A long term goal will probably be the Commonwealth Games 2002 in Manchester, but I'll first have to talk to my coach abroad and plan out how to work towards that. Right now it's a matter of getting back into shape and seeing how it goes.'' As for making a bid for Athens, hosts of the 2004 Olympics, Fahy again adopted a tentative stance.

"I'll have to see ... take it one step at a time,'' he said.

Looming on the immediate horizon are the World Championships next year, but while Fahy's body language shifted in favour of taking up the challenge, the verbal refused a solid commitment.

Fahy is due to return to complete his final semester at Yale, one of America's most esteemed universities, with a major in economics.

He can no longer compete for the school, having used up all of his eligibility, but he will continue to train, utilising the institution's facilities under the guidance of Frank Keefe, coach of the 1984 US Olympic team.

However, in order to rise to world class and Olympic standard, Fahy highlighted a few elements he would have to add.

"I needed to race more in the lead-up to the Games,'' explained Fahy, whose talents extend beyond the pool, having previously won the Front Street Mile road race as a teenager, as well as starring in the Secondary School All-Star Soccer match.

"There weren't as many competitions because the Games were later than usual, and I think that might have had something to do with being race fit.

"That's one thing I'll have to change, and maybe I'll have to spend more time in the gym, whereas most of my work was in the pool last summer.

"So, I'll make those few changes and see where that takes me.'' Fahy held out praise for the organising of the swimming camp currently being administered, noting how it could only help to improve the overall local standard.

Swimmer Fahy refuses to quit From Page 21 He noted there to be a number of talented youngsters on the local scene, waiting to burst through.

"Definitely there's a lot of talent here,'' said Fahy. "You have Roy-Allan (Burch), who is looking for international meets, and a lot of youngsters coming through who, given the right facilities to train, could definitely make it.

"Things like this training camp are a great idea, keeping people training throughout the off-season, because in international swimming people don't usually take time off unless forced to do so due to pool closures.

"This seems to be working really well, you have a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of young guys that have come out.

"It's a step in the right direction.'' Another step would be the advent of a 50-metre pool, something the swimming fraternity craves.

Fahy inferred the lack of a legitimate international size pool placed Bermudian competitors at a distinct disadvantage when they travelled abroad for competition in the larger version.

"That's a major thing,'' he said. "There's a huge difference between a short course and a longer one, because I'm a much better short course swimmer. We swim yards -- that are even shorter -- in the States, and I seem to do better in those competitions. But there's definitely a difference.

"It's kind of like playing six-a-side football your whole life and suddenly coming out on a full-size pitch.'' Makin' waves: Bermuda Olympic swimmer Stephen Fahy practises his backstroke during a training session at the BASA Pool this week.

Session done: Stephen Fahy relaxes after completing his training laps at the BASA pool this week.