as friends, family, dignitaries and others joined in applauding the young athletes.

With flags waving, bells ringing and thunderous cheers and applause, the travel-weary contingent paraded through the arrival terminal at Bermuda International Airport with dangling trinkets signifying the great success enjoyed in Barbados.

Bermuda returned with a grand total of five medals, including two gold, two silver, and a bronze.

It was further revealed that Zindi Swan, in her first appearance in international competition, set a new national record in clearing 1.71 metres in the Girls under-17 high jump, breaking the long-standing mark of 1.70.

Swan captured her medal in spectacular style clearing on her last attempt, after chief rival Rhonda Watkins of Trinidad missed.

"I was surprised, but I worked really hard to get the gold, I wasn't going to let that girl beat me,'' said Swan yesterday. "It was like a dream come true for me and I'm looking forward to going on to other, even bigger competitions in the future -- like the Olympics.'' Likewise Brittany Marshall also made it to the podium's top step, her success coming in the under-17 shot put, where she distinguished herself, throwing 11.95 metres.

"It was nice. I felt I did something good for my country and myself ... it was just a real good feeling,'' said Marshall. "I felt confident going in, but I knew I had worked hard and was determined to get what I wanted.

"It was my best performance of the season, not my best overall, but it was enough.'' Perhaps the biggest shock came in the girls under-17 4x100 relay, where a hastily assembled team seized bronze.

Michelle Trott, Tiffany Eatherley, Swan and Danielle Watson proved that speed is not exclusive to the Caribbean, clocking 47.44, to place behind winners Jamaica (45.44) and Bahamas (47.23). "It was definitely a surprise because we had only just put the relay team together and had never run in an actual race like this,'' said Eatherley, still bubbling from the whole experience. "Our inexperience showed a little bit though, because I was in second place until the last 20 metres and didn't see that girl coming from behind me. But it was a great effort by the team and we're all just so proud of how we performed for Bermuda.'' Also participating in the medal haul were Richard Walcott (3:56.68), who achieved silver in the boys under-20 1500 metres and Watson (55.97) in the girls under-17 400 metres.

"It was a great performance by our youngsters and we look forward to continuing to build a programme which shows great promise,'' said Bermuda Track and Field Association president Judy Simmons. "Bermuda was ninth out of 23 countries, but per capita we probably beat them all, and while there we were certainly the buzz of Carifta.'' Simmons and national coach Gerry Swan were both cited for their involvement in the sport, with Swan appointed to the technical committee and Simmons named on the marketing committee.