Question marks were still hanging over the Pan-Am Games participation of five Bermuda competitors last night -- with the opening ceremony just two weeks away.

Island officials were still waiting for confirmation on young gymnast Alex Froncioni and the four-strong swimming team.

Bermuda Olympic Association general secretary John Hoskins had been expecting a ruling on Froncioni, a Canadian citizen whose eligibility has caused a problem, on Thursday, while the swimming team -- three of whom have been competing in Buffalo, New York, this week -- had hoped for a final decision as early as last Tuesday.

Hoskins was cautiously optimistic on both counts. He said: "We're just waiting for a piece of paper from PASO (the Games organising commmittee) confirming Froncioni can compete.'' Froncioni, 13, who came to Bermuda as a small child, has been given the go ahead to compete for the Island by International Gymnastics Federation.

Hoskins added: "As regards the swimmers, we just don't know. "We've just assumed everybody's going but if we hear differently from ASUA (the Amateur Swimming Union of the Americas), we'll have to look at it again.

"I don't think it will get to that stage, but there are no guarantees.

"A lot of the smaller countries may just turn up with competitors without informing the organising committee.

"In Indinapolis eight years ago, there were 1,000 too many competitors.

"I don't think this will happen in Winnipeg because they've been forewarned.

But it's a most unusual situation.'' Meanwhile, sprinter Devon Bean has been given the thumbs up to run in the competition, which begins on July 23. There had been doubts about his qualification but he has reportedly been given the go ahead to run in the 200 metres based on comparable times he achieved over half the distance.

However, Hoskins said he thought he would probably run in both the 100 and 200m.