Field Association and the Bermuda Olympic Association for their lack of support when it came to assisting the local elite athletes who are based abroad -- namely himself, triple-jumper Brian Wellman and high-jumper Clarance (Nicky) Saunders.

Home for a periodic visit between major track and field meets -- his last being the World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany last month and his next the CAC Games in Puerto Rico in November -- Douglas not only felt that there was a clear neglect for financial support but explained that moral support was also lacking.

As an example the 30-year-old middle-distance runner referred to the recent event in Stuttgart where Wellman reached the final round of the triple jump and Douglas advancing to the second round of the 400 metres with a fifth place finish.

"In Stuttgart the president of the BTFA, Mr. Phillip Guishard was there but told me that he was only present for the IOC Conference, and this really bothered me. What about the two athletes who were there representing Bermuda, does anyone care?'' wondered Douglas.

"There we were representing our country and there were no uniforms for us to show for it. I had to use the one I had for the Olympic Games in Barcelona.

And if it wasn't for Brian going to Nike I would not have even had a body suit to wear.'' The irritated athlete said that anger really struck home when he was placed in the unenviable position of being unable to respond to the traditional exchange of uniforms when it was over and he had nothing to pass on to athletes of other countries.

"It was embarrassing. It's things that happen like this that bothers me.

Everybody was trading for something from the competitors and I was unable to participate, it's a part of my career that really upsets me,'' confided the athlete.

He added: "It's reached the stage that I'd rather run for the Bermuda Pacers than my country...at least the kids with that club have equipment when they compete in international meets, when they have their uniforms on they have that much more pride. But athletes like myself don't have that extra incentive.'' Douglas has no regrets in deciding to give professional track and sports a real go, but hints that it could be asking too much of him to continue to perform at high standards while representing his country without adequate help from the island.

"I am getting support, but not from my country. The BTFA and BOA may be trying at times, but I wonder whether they are doing as much as they really can. Every time I step on the track in these international meets I represent my country,'' he said.

While the problem concerning local support continues to be unresolved, Douglas says that he has not been discouraged to the degree that his ambitions in track has been derailed.

He gave a very creditable performance in Suttgart where he had a fine run of 45.57 in the 400 metres, now he is setting his sights on the CAC Games and then the Grand Prix circuit next year followed by the Commonwealth Games in British Columbia next August.

"I have lots of energy for the CAC but it occurs in November when I basically do my winter training. I'm healthy and will be prepared to compete, but I don't expect any real great performance because I won't be in the sort of shape I'm in for months like July, August and September,'' said Douglas.

The athlete expressed his concern about the direction in which the local track and field programme is heading, pointing out that few young athletes appear to be coming on the scene.

"Where is our development programme these days, I haven't seen anybody different on our Olympic team since 1988 other than Dawnette Douglas,'' said Douglas.

In defending his criticism at the two associations, Douglas said: "I'm only asking that they fight for us, fight for the younger kids who are looking at us and aspire to follow in our footsteps.''