triple jumper Brian Wellman strongly believes a bright future lies ahead.

While the past year could only be described as mediocre by his own high standards, Wellman is by no means discouraged.

The three-time Olympian still believes he can reach the very top as long as he remains healthy and focused.

"You've got to be a positive thinking person if you want to do something positive,'' he said this week after returning home from Arkansas for the Christmas holidays.

And if there are any sceptics who feel that at the age of 29 his career could be in decline, Wellman is quick to put them straight.

"I know I haven't reached my potential. It's a case of me putting it together, '' he said.

"In fact, the inspiration came to me a little late.'' That inspiration came in the form of his last round jump at the World Championships in 1995 when Wellman soared to what appeared to be in excess of 60 feet, only to have the jump ruled foul. "That showed me I can do it. The thing is that I just have to put everything together, not foul and put my feet on the board and make it happen.'' After his highly successful 1995 campaign -- his best-ever season -- much was expected of Wellman this year as he went into the Atlanta Olympics.

High expectations, however, turned to gloom when he placed sixth with a jump of 16.96 metres (55 feet and eight inches) behind US gold medallist Kenny Harrison who jumped 18.09 metres (59 feet, four and a half inches).

Wellman's best jump came in the qualifying round with 17.10 metres (56 feet, one and a half inches).

But he quickly brushes aside any suggestion that he may have passed his peak, emphasising the fact that many athletes have produced their best in the later stages of their career.

"Jonathan Edwards is 29 and he jumped 60 feet in breaking the world record; Kenny Harrison won the Olympic gold and he is 31; Mike Conley is 32 and he jumped 59 ft 7 inches; Willie Banks broke the world record and he is 29. So it's a case of doing your homework, working hard, staying healthy and focusing on things you need to focus on and just go out there and take care of business,'' said Wellman.

"Merlene Ottey went out there and recorded a personal best this year. We are talking about somebody who sprints who is 36. How do you explain people of these ages performing at this high level. It's about staying healthy, being focused, believing in yourself and going out there and doing it.

"I'll never succumb to anybody's negativity just because they may feel you can't do it anymore. I can't get caught up in all of that. It's nothing to do with what anybody thinks. That doesn't matter.

"It's what I believe and, like I said, I haven't achieved the goals that I wish to achieve in the sport, therefore I still have things to strive for.

When I walk away from the sport I am not gong to say `what if'.'' That's the sort of driving force behind Wellman right now, something that he feels will carry him into the New Year in the right frame of mind.

Going into the new season, Wellman doesn't want to make the mistake of trying to emulate other athletes such as Edwards in a bid to produce longer jumps.

The Bermudian says he will be concentrating on the technique and style that got him where he is today.

"Next year I want to be more consistent with what I do. There are other people who have ways of jumping, their technique is pretty much the same. It's Wellman eyes happy new year hop, step and jump, but different attributes are for different people and it gets them to jump further.

"Kenny Harrison jumped over 59 feet and he is totally the opposite type of jumper to Edwards. That goes to show you there is more than one way of jumping far.

"I think I got side-tracked last year trying to emulate somebody else that had success with it as opposed to doing what got me jumping as far as I did.

All I have to do is continue that way and try to improve on the minor things that need improving.'' Wellman started training in October for the busy schedule ahead.

Breaking the Commonwealth indoor record three times, just barely finishing short of breaking the World indoor record and placing second at the World Outdoors during 1995 was a hard act to follow and nobody realised it more than Wellman himself.

"I didn't do particularly well for myself compared to '95 when I accomplished pretty good landmarks. Going into 1996 I felt that, at worst, I would be a medal contender at the Olympic Games, but things obviously didn't go well for me the whole year due to several situations that didn't work out.'' But he's now ready to put all his disappointments behind him. His goals in 1997 are the Indoor and Outdoor World Championships with the Indoor taking place in Paris in March and the Outdoor in Greece in August.

Already Bermuda's most accomplished athlete on the world stage when it comes to consistency and recognition, Wellman appears to be on the right track.

On Saturday, he will be taking part in an open athletics seminar put on by good friend Steve Burgess, a Bermuda fitness consultant. Also taking part in the free seminar at Belmont Golf Club is Wendy Truvillion, women's track and field coach at Penn State University, and top Island distance runner Jay Donawa.

BRIAN WELLMAN -- Tries to bounce back from medicore year.