ANDRE LOWE, Special Projects Editor - Sports

A flag-bearer of Jamaica's rich heritage in the quarter-mile, Bertland 'Bert' Cameron, has lauded the IAAF Word Relays, which gets under way tomorrow in The Bahamas and has sounded the warning that Jamaica is poised to return to its position as Caribbean standard-bearer in the 4x400m relay.

Cameron, the 1983 World Champion, was a member of the silver medal winning 1988 Seoul Olympic Games 4x400m team.

He has been disheartened by the country's diminished role in the event, but remains convinced that Jamaica will soon unseat The Bahamas as the region's powerhouse.

Since claiming gold at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games with the pioneering quartet of Arthur Wint, Leslie Laing, Herb McKenley and George Rhoden, Jamaican 4x400m teams have led the region's ambitions winning an additional three medals at the Olympic Games.

Jamaica has, however, failed to make an Olympic podium since 2000 in Sydney, while The Bahamas have medalled at three of the last four.

"If you see what's happening with the youngsters, (Akeem) Bloomfield and Christopher Taylor - if you don't believe that the seniors are taking note of that and will step up their game, you have another thing coming," said Cameron.

This season Bloomfield, 17, clocked 44.93 seconds and Taylor,15, posted a world age group record 45.69.

"These seniors are aware that it's been too long and if they don't want to do it, the younger boys will take us back to where we belong," said Cameron, who is in The Bahamas as part of Jamaica's coaching staff.

"I believe that at the Olympics in Rio next year, we will be a force to be reckoned with."