A $45,000 incentive cash awards programme only recently instituted by the Bermuda Government for elite athletes has its first beneficiary in sailor Paula Lewin -- and the hope is for many more to follow in her footsteps.

Speaking with joy of Lewin's success in obtaining a bronze medal at the Pan-Am Games for her third place finish in the Europe Dinghy class on Saturday, Sports Director Brenton Roberts was pleased that the awards programme will provide her with an additional reward.

"Naturally, it's always a delight when our athletes are successful at major meets like this, we are all very happy that Paula achieved the result that she has,'' said Roberts, who a week ago heaped similar praise on track and field athletes Brian Wellman and Troy Douglas after their medal-winning performances at the World Indoor Championships in Barcelona, Spain.

Lewin's medal marked the first time in more than 20 years that a local sailor has won a medal at the Pan-Ams, the last being Snipe sailor Penny Simmons.

"I think it is fair credit to her and her training, her commitment and dedication to her sport that she has done well. And particularly because I believe that this is the first Bermuda female to have received a medal in any level of major competitions,'' said Roberts.

"If she is indeed the first to do so then it is a significant milestone in the development of sport for women on the Island. It is also significant in the sport of sailing, which has been dominated by males over the past, that we see a woman come through the ranks now and compete in her own right among her peers throughout the world.'' Commenting on the fact that Lewin is the first to receive money from the new scheme, Roberts added: "Indeed she is the very first and I hope it would benefit her immeasurably in that she has done so much to put Bermuda on the map in women's sport.'' The sports director yesterday explained why government came up with the new plan. He noted that there are many countries now that are concerned about the number of alternative events that their athletes can get involved with in the international arena and the Bermuda Government, including Minister of Youth and Sports Pam Gordon, is just as concerned for these reasons when it comes to our athletes competing at major games.

"To ensure that the Bermuda athletes compete in Games such as the Olympics, Pan-Am and Commonwealth and the Central American and Caribbean Games, government are now offering cash incentive awards for these athletes to compete.'' Officially called the Outstanding Athletic Performance Incentive Programme, it primarily covers participation in the four major Games and designated for "those who perform at their level best in any of these competitions such that a medal performance is achieved''.

The plan has made a maximum fund totalling $25,000 available for the Olympic Games with $15,000 rewarded to an individual or team (shared evenly) for first place, $7,000 for an individual or team for second and $3,000 for third to an individual or team.

The total prize fund available for the Pan-Am and Commonwealth Games is $15,000 to be shared in a similar manner as the Olympics.

The third fund set up for the Central American and Caribbean Games has $5,000 with $3,000 going for first place, $1,400 for second and $600 for third.

Should Bermuda be fortunate enough in having two gold-winning performances in any of the events then Roberts said that the circumstance will be looked at and that there probably wouldn't be an objection in going over the maximum and honouring both candidates by awarding them each the top payout.

The criteria for the various rewards are: An official record of the individual or team performance achieved from the Sports Festival organisers is required verifying the achievement.

Medal performances must be free of any taint of cheating or performance enhancing drug or substance banned by the International Olympic Committee or any other illicit drug activity.

The sports medal performance is confined to any one of the four major sport festivals.

The Bermuda Olympic Association shall be the sole arbiters of the Athlete Performance Incentive Programme and their decisions are final.

Paula Lewin