The Olympics may have been initiated with the spirit of competition in mind, but in the effect the modern Games have become no less than a gigantic Cash Cow.

An amateur ideal transformed into a professional reality, one which sucks the life out of the ability of smaller, poorer nations to compete on even footing.

Indeed big countries can literally `buy' medals -- and do -- by pouring millions into specified sports, leaving the smaller countries to solace in the `honour' of competing.

A perfect example of such can be traced as at least part of the reason for the failure of champion Bermuda triple jumper Brian Wellman, of whom much was expected of in Sydney. Sixth at the Atlanta Games in 1996, Wellman did not even make it through to the final round this time around.

Over-matched? Over-rated? Or just plain over the hill? All of the above may be true -- and Wellman makes no excuses as to his failure to advance -- but it perhaps more likely that his lack of performance had less to do with ability to hop, skip, jump and a whole lot to do with money ...

the lack of it.

While other countries' elite athletes worried most about making time for a flight, the past year has seen Wellman virtually unable to get off the ground apart from training sessions.

Much as equestrienne MJ Tumbridge spoke to the lack of sponsorship towards her dream of Olympic and international competition, so did Wellman speak of a subsistence lifestyle in a world of corporate domination.

This year saw Wellman strangely absent from European meets that would have served as the ideal tune-up for Sydney. And while a decision to change agents in mid-season contributed to the inability to secure placement at some Grand Prix meets, a lack of funds also proved a hindrance.

Now at a crossroads, the Arkansas-based athlete must now figure out whether to continue with that which is his passion or find a place in the `real' world.

"I don't know what I'm going to do,'' said Wellman yesterday from his apartment in Arkansas, "I just have to sit down and figure out what the scenarios are all about.

"Unless things financially change for me in terms of off the track sponsorship I don't know.'' Wellman explained how it takes more than $30,000 to be able to compete and live comfortably without the worries as to how the bills get paid.

With rent to be paid, utilities, groceries, transportation as basics, and added in the needs of a full-time track athlete in the form of food supplements, travel expenses, massage therapy and other dietary needs the cost is indeed dear.

"No athlete wants to be at the beginning of the year worrying about how they're going to pay the bills,'' said Wellman, a five-time Bermuda Athlete of the Year. "I'm grateful for the money that I get from the elite athlete's fund, but that's barely survival money.'' Since losing the Bank of Butterfield as sponsors Wellman has had to make do with money from the fund, personal savings and the support of his parents.

Reflecting back to Sydney where he could only muster a leap of 16.47 metres, Wellman said that he simply did not have `it' on the day.

"It felt like I just got off the plane that day, that's the best I can relate it,'' he said. "My total body had no hops, no pop, just flat.

"I'm obviously disappointed. I would have loved to have done considerably better, it's not like I had to perform above what I was capable of.'' "It would have been totally different if I would have went out there, executed like I know I could, jumped well, and then didn't do any good, but when you go out there and jump poorly that's always hard.'' Two days removed from Australia, Wellman plans to rest for a month before he resumes training, and will return to the Island over Christmas.

The indoor season beckons after that, and the decision will once again confront whether to enter the circuit again or hang up the spikes.

As for life after athletics Wellman was unsure, saying: "There are no finite decisions there either, I'm weighing my options as to the things I might want to get involved in.

"One thing I have to do is finish school. I'm about three semesters away from completion.'' Wellman has a major in architecture. Can he sketch a plan for Athens? Basic living (rent, utilities) $800 Groceries $400 Travel (European circuit) $1,000 Food supplements $100 Dietary supplements $100 Message therapy $720 Total monthly expenses $3,120 Total yearly expenses $37,440 The table shows Wellman's estimated account of monthly expenses under optimal conditions.

Brian Wellman: chances limited by harsh financial realities.