The 2005 International Race Weekend is back on.

A $50,000 donation by avuncular philanthropist David Barber has resurrected the January athletics showpiece, it was claimed by Bermuda Track and Field Association officials.

The BTFA hastily arranged a Board meeting last night where the decision to re-instate the three-day international race meet was taken.

Following the meeting, director Wayne Raynor would only state: "Yes, it is back on." He added that details would be available today at a Press conference to be staged jointly with the Tourism Ministry.

Despite last night's decision, questions will remain as to whether Government are simply prepared to hand over the $80,000 ear-marked for Race Weekend by Cabinet on Friday despite concerns about non-payments of winners' prize-money and an inability to raise corporate sponsorship.

But the ins and outs of why the event was originally cancelled are of little interest to Barber, who was only too happy to help for "the good of Bermuda".

Barber, who recently shelled out $2 million for an air ambulance in yet another extraordinary act of generosity, first heard of the Race Weekend crisis after reading Saturday's Royal Gazette on Sunday afternoon.

He eventually managed to contact BTFA director Wayne Raynor yesterday and immediately handed over a cheque for $50,000 made payable to the association.

"I was upset when I read the paper so I thought I would try and help out," said Barber.

"It said that Government had put in $80,000 and they were $50,000 short so I tried to get hold of someone from that athletic association and told them I would give them the money.

"I spoke to a chap called Wayne Raynor and he said they would discuss it at a Board meeting and I gave him a cheque for $50,000 right away.

"It would be sad for Bermuda if this track thing didn't take place and it is bad for tourism. I used to run a couple of hotels and I know what it is like in January. I hope this helps.

"I hope this does save the event."

Raynor said that Barber's contribution "had made a significant impact in the decision to put the event back on".

When asked if he was concerned that he had handed over money to an organisation that still hadn't paid winners from this year's event eight months ago, Barber replied: "Really. Well, I don't know anything about that. Maybe they will be able to pay them with this money. I am sure it won't be a problem."

Barber's hand-out "for the good of Bermuda" brings to an end a farcical few days for the heavily-criticised association who announced the event was off in an unsigned Press release on Thursday which was immediately contradicted, albeit seemingly without foundation, by Tourism Minister Ewart Brown.

Sports Minister Dale Butler then stated he would not just hand over money to save the event in the face of 'sports terrorism' by the BTFA the day before Acting Premier Paula Cox forced the release of an $80,000 lifeline during Cabinet.

Barber then stepped in with his well-meaning generosity, although a little too late to save the BTFA's blushes - the organisation having already endured three days of public criticism from politicians and athletes alike.