Bermuda's Olympic contingent is expected to be bolstered by two today as Xavier James and Katura Horton-Perinchief join the Athens-bound team.

Sprinter James and diver Horton-Perinchief have been given verbal permission to compete in the summer Games - due to start in just 11 days time - with Bermuda Olympic Association president John Hoskins expecting to receive written confirmation later today.

The inclusion of the two athletes - both under the wildcard scheme - will boost the Island's contingent to ten, competing across six sports.

They join Tyler Butterfield (triathlon), Keira Aitken (swimming), Tim Collins (equestrian), Paula Lewin and Peter Bromby (sailing) as the Island's main contingent. Crew Lee White (with Bromby), Peta Lewin and Christine Patton (both with Lewin) are also in the Island team.

"It is welcome news and I am expecting confirmation today," said Hoskins, who has already fingered Bromby, fourth last time around in the Star Class sailing in the Sydney Games, as Bermuda's main medal hope.

"It's nice that we look like we are going to take two more in our team. It is always pleasing for the Island to take as many athletes as possible. It would be fair to say that these two are unlikely medal winners but, as you know, an enormous number of athletes go to the Olympics and don't come back with medals."

James, who has been training in Florida with former American Olympic gold medallist Dennis Mitchell, has yet to reach the qualifying time of 10.28 seconds, succeeding only in a season-best 10.38 wind-aided and 10.40 seconds legally.

But there are a number of 'special berths' available to athletes from countries who have no qualified track and field athletes and it seems James has been the recipient of one of these.

Katura also seems to have got lucky with a wildcard. The diver, who competed in the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002, failed to rack up the required number of qualifying points, but with several diving slots available for Athens, she has been selected to fill one of those spots.

It is understood her mother, Ellen Kate Horton, sister of former Sports Minister Randy Horton, has undertaken a significant amount of lobbying on her daughter's behalf, writing letters to both the International Olympic Committee and FINA, the governing body for diving.

"I am absolutely thrilled," said Ellen Kate Horton.

"It has been a stop-go process but we are delighted for Katura that she is now going to be able to go. The Olympics is a dream and now she can fulfil it."

She added that Katura, who returned to Bermuda for the Cup Match holiday, flew back out to Texas as soon as the news was confirmed and will remain there for as long as possible getting in last-minute practice before returning to the Island to fly to Greece with the rest of the team.

Although this means Bermuda now have three athletes competing in the historic Games without achieving the necessary qualifying standards - Butterfield in the triathlon is the third - Hoskins is not concerned that the Island's athletes will be out of their depth.

"There are always a lot of athletes at the Olympics who have got in on wildcards and without achieving the required standard," he added.

"Our people are not going to be the only ones and I am sure they will all acquit themselves well."

Bermuda remains the least populous nation ever to win an Olympic medal, with Clarence Hill picking up a bronze at the 1976 Games in Montreal.