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The Winter Olympics start next Friday and Patrick Singleton is in a desperate bid to be included for his fourth Games.

Bermuda's most decorated Winter Olympian did not qualify for the 2010 Games, but has made a plea to be included.

His fate rests in the hands of an international committee who is expected to decide sometime this weekend whether or not to let the skeleton athlete compete.

Singleton's name was not amongst the 29 spots the Skeleton federation announced last week.

That was partly due to the fact he failed to make the qualifying standard for the Vancouver Games. Singleton had to be ranked in the top 60 as of January 17, but he was 71st.

He has since moved up to 57th.

The Bermuda Olympic Association said has made his plea to be invited to the Winter Olympics based on the fact that the men's Skeleton competition had been allocated 30 spots for Vancouver, but only gave out 29. Since then, one athlete has had to withdraw leaving the competition at 28.

Judy Simons, president of the BOA, said: "Unfortunately at this particular time the Bermuda Olympic Association is unable to verify 100 per cent their full team. The skeleton athlete's participation has not been confirmed for the forthcoming Winter Games. It is with regret that we cannot announce our team in full. It is hoped that we'll be able to do so within the next few days."

So far only cross-country skier Tucker Murphy is the only person who is slated to compete in the 2010 Games for Bermuda.

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