cash-strapped runner Kavin Smith, claiming that as an ambassador for the Island the athlete should receive greater financial assistance.

Smith, the reigning Marathon Derby champion, was highlighted earlier this week as needing sponsorship to the tune of more than $100,000 per year in order to complete the necessary overseas training to attain world class status. But such sponsorship has so far been slow in coming.

The 28-year-old runner has all but forsaken plans to compete at next year's Olympics and is operating on a shoestring budget while training part-time with Bolton Harriers track club in England alongside 1995 Front Street Mile winner Paul Freary. He's following a plan mapped out by his Bermuda-based coach Duncan Newby.

Newby was among a chorus of three -- Smith's wife Karla and businessman Alvin Wilson were the others -- who complained that the public and private sector were ignoring an athlete they regarded as a "perfect role model for Bermuda''.

Douglas, in his first year as president of the Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA), stopped short of terming the lack of financial support an outright snub. But he said it was rather a situation where Smith needed to better outline his plan to attract potential investors.

"I don't know if you could call it a snub, but rather I feel the private and public sector have an agenda and you have to go to them with a plan and let them know what you hope to achieve and exactly how you plan on achieving that and have them buy in...you can't just send a letter,'' said Douglas.

"They're businessmen and as such want to see what will be the end result.'' He described Smith as a runner of genuine talent shown by his regular victories on the Island, but not yet of international standard.

"Kavin is at a point where he is past the developmental phase and not world class, but he is on the fence. He's in no man's land,'' he said.

"It's a challenge, he has the ability and with a solid plan he can get there.

Right now when I look at Kavin in terms of the Olympics he's maybe two laps away and the time period is short. I think the Commonwealth Games is a good choice which gives him the chance to progress in the necessary steps.'' Still, he considered Smith as being worth the "risk'' for local companies and highlighted Commonwealth gold medallist Clarence (Nicky) Saunders as an example of one who began as an unknown, but with support from Belco turned out to be "a diamond find''.

"Sport gives identity to a country, because when people see Brian Wellman they see Bermuda. The same can happen with Kavin... they are truly ambassadors and their talent assets to the country,'' said Douglas.