from one of his strongest backers.

His dad.

Derek Singleton, joined by Bermuda Olympic Association team manager John Hoskins, arrived in Nagano, Japan, on Sunday to help see his son through the pressures of his first Winter Olympics.

Singleton, 23, competes in the luge on Sunday and Monday -- the events start at 2.00 a.m. Bermuda time both days -- and a friendly face is probably just what he needs, his mother, Sallie said.

Derek Singleton, travelling as team coach, is the tennis pro at Coral Beach and will be able to aid his son in mental and physical preparation as the big day approaches, she said.

Sallie Singleton left yesterday for Japan and will arrive on Friday, just in time for Saturday's opening ceremonies.

As for Patrick, he's been hunkered down since January 24 in the Athletes Village, where security is tight and outside communication rare, apart from a personal E-mail set-up (patrick.singleton y mail.olympic.ibm.com).

Which is the way he wants it. Adjusting to a new sled, he said recently that he is attempting to remain focused on his goal, despite the often intrusive Japanese media.

Having spent a complete month on the new Olympic track in Lizuna -- three weeks more than most of his rivals -- Singleton feels comfortable and confident but isn't deluding himself into pretending he'll win a medal.

"As long as I can handle the pressure and have clean runs, I'll be extremely competitive,'' is about as far as he would go.

It was not known yesterday if Singleton -- only Bermuda's second ever Winter Olympian -- would carry the national flag during the opening ceremonies, to be televised live. Because he competes the next day, there are concerns that lugging the staff around for two hours might be taxing.

Singleton will need all his strength because at about 145 pounds, he's one of the smaller competitors in the luge. This is a disadvantage in the event and in particular the 1,300-metre Lizuna course, which features 15 corners and two unique uphill sections.

Sliders will reach speeds of between 118 and 125 kph in competition.

The media is about the only thing Singleton found to complain about in a recent conversation with The Royal Gazette .

Japan is "completely opposite from what I expected -- and I mean that in a good way,'' he said. Fears about prices, food and uncommunicative people were totally unfounded, he added.

While Singleton goes about his business, a former Bermuda tourist is helping his business. Donna Allard, touched by Singleton's aid after her husband broke his leg here during a vacation last July, has begun distributing buttons, adorned with the Bermudian's face and the words "Go Patrick'' and Bermuda.

Allard, a schoolteacher, says they are being worn all over her Leominster, Massachusetts home, and beyond as part of her "Pennies for Patrick'' campaign.

BUTTONED UP -- The face of Bermuda's lone Winter Olympian adorns a button being produced and distributed by a grateful former visitor.

LUGE LUG