month's Games in Lillehammer, Norway.

But the Bermuda Olympic Association is awaiting official notification from the International Luge Federation before confirming the policeman as Bermuda's lone competitor in the Games.

"We have just heard unoffically he's qualified,'' said John Hoskins, secretary general of the BOA, yesterday.

Hoskins said there has been problems in receiving correspondence from the International Luge Federation, but hopes to receive confirmation on Payne's qualification by early next week. That will leave Payne about three more weeks to prepare for the Winter Olympics, which are scheduled to begin in mid-February.

Payne was competing in a race in East Germany yesterday and from there will be going to Austria for further training with the United States team.

Payne was 30th out of 34 lugers at the 1992 Olympics in Albertville, France.