VICTORIA, British Columbia -- South African athletes are set to return to the Commonwealth Games next year after a 36-year absence if that country's political situation remains stable, federation officials said yesterday.

Englishman David Dixon, honorary secretary of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said South Africa will be welcomed back into the Commonwealth next May should that country's free elections scheduled for April go ahead as planned. Continued violence in South Africa has put them in some doubt.

Games officials have set February 18 as the deadline for national sport associations to confirm their participation in the Games, but officials said yesterday they are prepared to accept a provisional bid from South Africa in order to satisfy the federation constitution.

"If South Africa rejoins the Commonwealth, they will have a presence here next year,'' said Dixon, on the first day of the federation's six-day annual meeting.

"The question is how big a team could be accommodated by the facilities here, in particular the athletes village, which can only accept a finite number. If we go over that number, other plans -- at great expense -- would have to be made.'' The village is designed to house 3,332 athletes, with 132 spots reserved for the disabled athletes who will be making their first Games appearance.

"Obviously, we are limited by the facilities we have,'' said federation chairman Sonny de O Sales of Hong Kong, "but the important thing would be the presence of the South African team, regardless of how many athletes they ultimately send.

"A small team would be much better than plane loads of athletes arriving with entry forms. That has happened in my experience since I began my association with the Games in 1958.'' Dixon, who said he remains "in close touch'' with South African officials, said South Africa's return to the Commonwealth is not without precedent.

"Pakistan left, but later returned,'' he noted.

Federation officials expect to learn more about South Africa's position at a meeting of Commonwealth heads of government next month.

The Bermudian delegation for the meetings began to arrive on the weekend with Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA) secretary-general John Hoskins.

BOA president Austin Woods and Bermuda Track and Field Association president Phil Guishard will arrive in the British Columbia capital on Thursday.

On Saturday a vote will be taken announcing the site of the meeting to name the host for the 2002 Games and Bermuda is in the running along with the Isle of Man and Guernsey.

Meanwhile, officials are satisfied with the progress made by the Victoria organising committee to prepare for next August's competition.

"We don't have to worry greatly about Victoria,'' Dixon said. "Victoria is better prepared than any other site I have ever had the experience of in their run-up to the Games. We will tour the venues this week, and monitor the general progress made by the organising committee, but we are very pleased.'' Added de O Sales: "Never before in my experience have I seen this advanced stage of preparation achieved so early on. With their budget of $160 million, they're almost home and away with the funding already. It's quite extraordinary.'' The Victoria organising committee has raised $43 million from the private sector, with the rest of the spending government funded. Organisers are spending $52 million on new facilities in Victoria, which is the smallest city (population 250,000) ever to host the Games.