By Andrew Coakley

FN Sports Editor

Vereance Burrows returned home to Grand Bahama to a hero's welcome.

He was told that he would be greeted at the airport by the Minister of Sports and was therefore expecting only the Minister and another person.

"I was surprised when I walked out here and saw all of these people waiting to greet me," said Burrows, after he had emerged from Customs and was greeted with claps and cheers.

"This is fantastic to see this out here."

The Grand Bahamian swimmer was one of five swimmers who represented The Bahamas at the FINA World Swimming Champ-ionship in Rome, Italy.

The team finished with a total of 12 medals and broke a number of national records.

The accomplishment by the team has been low keyed, however the significance of what the swimmers have accomplished will no doubt go down in the history books. It was the most Bahamian national marks ever set in a single swim meet.

Burrows broke two of Jeremy Knowles' records and a 13-year-old record, which was previously held by former Olympian Allan Murray. Vereance set records in the men's 50 Free, 100 Free, 50 Fly and 100m Fly.

In the 50 Free, Burrows swam a time of 22.39 seconds, breaking Murray's old record of 22.75 that was set at the 1996 Olympics.

Less than an hour later, Burrows returned to the pool in the 100m Fly to finish in a time of 53.51, lowering the national mark, which stood at 53.71.

Earlier in the meet, Burrows set a national record in the 100 Free with a time of 50.88 seconds, erasing the previous mark of 51.29 which was done by Knowles last year. In the 50m Fly, Burrows set a new record in a time of 23.74 seconds, lowering his own Bahamian record of 24.47.

Asked how he felt about breaking four records at the World's Burrows said that it was somewhat of a surprise to him, but added that putting in the work and setting goals helped to make it all possible.

"I didn't even know that the record set by Allan Murray had stood for so long, so breaking it means a lot to me," added Burrows.

"I got an e-mail from Allan while I was in Rome, congratulating me for breaking his record and encouraged me to keep up the good work."

Burrows said that his goal now is to take a little break, do some work within the community and get his name out there, so that when the time comes to try and secure sponsorship, it would not be that difficult.

"I can't seek out sponsorship now because of College swimming rules, but after that I'm hoping to get out there and try and get some sponsors to continue to swim," said Burrows.

Burrows said that the support of the Grand Bahamian community did a lot in helping him get to the Worlds.

"The community as a whole has been supporting me in this whole thing," said Burrows.

"Everywhere I go...on the streets, in the barber shop, in restaurants, in church...people have congratulated me and given me encouraging words to keep doing what I do.

"Everywhere I go I feel the love of the people from Freeport."

Burrows' family, friends and fans were at the airport to greet him and welcome him back home.

Representing the Govern-ment of The Bahamas was Senator David Thompson, who noted that Vereance is an inspiration to youth everywhere, particularly in Grand Bahama.

"On behalf of the Government of The Bahamas and the people of The Bahamas and the Minister of Sports, we want to convey to Vereance how proud we are of what he has accomplished," said Thompson.

"This should inspire all of our young people to aspire and to emulate."