Did you try running

    $athlete[$i,$j++] = $bug;
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with warnings on? It doesn't mean at all what you thing it means.

    $ perl -wcle '$i = $j = 0; $athlete [$i, $j ++] = 1'
    Multidimensional syntax $athlete [$i, $j ++] not supported at -e l
+ine 1.
    Useless use of a variable in void context at -e line 1.
    Name "main::athlete" used only once: possible typo at -e line 1.
    -e syntax OK
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If you want to use multi-dimensional arrays, you have to use the correct syntax:

    $athlete [$i] [$j ++] = $bug;
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Abigail