Weekend festivities appear to be just that.

"I've heard that one too,'' laughed race director Phil Guishard yesterday when asked about reports that the American track legend was flying to the Island for the January 17-19 series.

"But beyond that, I literally haven't heard anything ... and I can say that beyond a shadow of a doubt.'' The rumour apparently stems from a recent interview with Lewis in a men's fitness magazine, in which the four-time Olympian reportedly relayed his plans to visit the Island, bringing with him several top runners from his Santa Monica track club in California.

Guishard said the item came up at a meeting last week but he had not seen the article.

Lewis was the star of the 1984 Los Angeles Games, winning gold medals in the 100 and 200 metres, long jump and 4x100 metres relay. Four years later, he set world records in the 100 metres and long jump in Seoul and then won two more golds in the 1992 Barcelona Games.

He won another long jump gold in Atlanta this summer but was denied a chance at his ninth gold when he was left off the US 4x100 metres relay team.

Attempts to reach Lewis' management agency yesterday were unsuccessful.

Lewis' name would bring added clout to an event that is already brimming with it.

Guishard said the weekend was already guaranteed to bring in more tourists than ever before, adding officials had received "a lot of feedback'' from top international runners.

"There's interest from all over the place,'' he added.

He would not name any confirmations, saying they would be released at a January 9 news conference.

Officials are in the process of mailing out invitations to other competitors and acceptances are expected back in two weeks.

International Race Weekend consists of four events: The Front Street Mile, 10-kilometre road race, Bermuda International Marathon and Bermuda International Half-Marathon.

CARL LEWIS -- told a US magazine he planned to fly to Bermuda next month, but International Race Weekend organisers say they know nothing about any such visit.