DeVon Bean, the national athletics coach, is not exerting too much pressure on the island’s young athletes at this year’s Carifta Games in Grenada.

Bermuda have a squad of nineteen athletes at this year’s competition, a significant drop from the 31-strong team that went to the Bahamas in 2023. Injuries and a last-minute withdrawal by Ziza Russell contributed to the reduced number this year.

When Bermuda’s up-and-coming track and field stars compete at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium, starting from today to Monday, what Bean anticipates from them is to do all they can to make the island proud.

“The expectations are not very high, but we expect them to perform at their best,” Bean said.

“We have such a young team this year, a few of them have at least another year in the under-17 and at least three more years in the under-20.

“So, we have quite a young, inexperienced team with us.” Bermuda’s hopes of winning medals are pinned on J’auza James and Jake Brislane, who secured podium finishes last year.

“Pria Wilson and Lashee Jones were also part of the girls’ under-17 4×100 relay team which won a bronze medal in Bahamas after Jamaica were belatedly disqualified.

Middle-distance runners Jaeda Grant and Jake Smith have also been consistent since the beginning of 2024.

Grant, 15, was fourth in the 1,500m last year and if she produces the kind of form she has shown this year, she could force her way into a podium position.

Smith has also been dominating in the local races from the time he won the Senior School Boys Butterfield Mile in January.

The 16-year-old was ninth last year, a position he attributed to his failure to properly manage his pace, and if he could do better in that regard, he could bring some honour for the island.

“I’m very optimistic, they should compete well,” Bean added.

“There may well be a few surprises, I have a feeling that we may win one unexpected medal.”