Green & Diel Aiming To Represent Bermuda Well
[Written by Stephen Wright]
William Green admits he never thought he would find himself representing Bermuda on the international stage six years after moving to the island from his native England.
Green will compete in the men’s triathlon – an Olympic-distance race [1,500-metre swim, 40-kilometre bike and 10km run] – at Rocquaine Bay, Saint Peter, at the NatWest International Island Games in Guernsey on Sunday [July 9].
He heads to the Games hot on the heels of his best performance locally, finishing fourth in the Liberty Mutual National Sprint Triathlon Championships, winning the 30-39 age group in 1hr 6min 18sec last month.
“I never thought I’d represent Bermuda – my adopted home,” Green told Bernews. “To get the opportunity to wear Bermuda’s colours at an international event really excites me. I’ll try to do Bermuda proud.”
The 30-year-old expects the competition to be stiff in Guernsey and hopes to perform to the best of his abilities.
“When you compete locally, you can look across the start line and know roughly where you will come,” said the Liverpudlian, coached by Mike Neill of Human Powered Racing.
“I have no idea what the standard will be like. You have to race your race.
“I have no doubt I’ll be against some extremely talented athletes. I intend on leaving it all out there and see where the chips fall.”
Bermudian Meghan Diel will also make her international debut in the women’s Olympic-distance race on Sunday.
The 31-year-old, whose boyfriend Christopher Hands-Jackson is competing in the men’s triathlon, expects a few pre-race nerves when she takes to the start line.
“I’m competitive with myself and have some time goals,” Diel told Bernews. “I’ll see where I end up!
“I’m nervous for the race but excited for the Games itself. It will be great to meet athletes from the other islands, and I intend to enjoy the atmosphere.
“The pressure is on because you want to represent your country well. That’s what’s giving me the most nerves!”
Bermuda’s triathlon team
Men: William Green, Christopher Hands-Jackson. Women: Elizabeth Brewin, Meghan Diel.
