The International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) have refused to ratify sprinter Raneika Bean's record 100-metre run at the Carifta Games in Trinidad last month, The Royal Gazette has learned.

An investigation initiated by the sport's governing body discovered that a number of the heats were timed manually rather than electronically -- a method the IAAF rejects for verifying records.

It is understood there is a question surrounding several heats staged on the first morning. During one of these, Bean, a 15-year-old Berkeley Institute student, was clocked at 11.28 seconds, bettering Debbie Jones' Bermuda record of 11.46 set more than 20 years ago and setting a new under-17 Carifta best.

That time also qualified her for the Commonwealth Games in September.

But a new electronic timing system is believed to have malfunctioned, leaving track officials to rely on back-up hand-timing, generally accepted to be an average of 0.24 seconds faster.

In one case where electronic and manual timing were both used and later compared at the competition, hand-timing was found to have an error margin of as much as 1.05 seconds.

However, the IAAF are waiting for clarification on precisely which heats may have been affected.

Bean went on to win the team's only medal in Trinidad in the 100m, taking the gold in a time of 11.96. That was slightly slower than her semi-final time of 11.81, which was not fast enough to meet the Commonwealth Games standard of 11.75.

But most attention focused on the astonishing time she recorded in her heat.

Among those stunned by the time was IAAF statistician Peter Matthews, who argued it was not impossible for someone of Bean's age, but added: "I can well imagine it being doubted on the grounds that this would be amazing even by someone a year or two older.'' The Royal Gazette last week learned an investigation was being carried out by the president of the North American and Caribbean Federation, Amadeo Francis.

"I checked out the times of several 100-metre races during the Carifta Games and must unfortunately advise that three sprint records reported, based on the web site established for the Games, were erroneous, since they were based on manual times when the electronic timing devices failed to operate,'' said Francis.

"This affects the 100m girls, both under 17 and under 20 as well as the boys' under 17.'' But contacted yesterday he was unable to confirm what form of timing had been used during Bean's heat.

Winfried Kramer, IAAF national records chairman, said: "Investigations by Mr.

Francis have proved that the fast times in the heats were based on manual timing when the electronic timing failed to operate.

"The difference between manual timing and electronic is usually too big. We normally allow on average 0.24 seconds. That means for Raneika Bean to have beaten the Bermuda record she would have had to have been timed manually at 11.20.'' Moreover, he added, no wind information was available.

"Bean, at 11.28, may be considered a windy 11.3. But even this is doubtful: In the fastest heat -- the girls' under-20 -- the winner Aileen Bailey was credited with an 11.03 manual time. But here we (also) have the electronic time: 12.00, a difference of almost one second.'' Francis, who had carried out preliminary inquiries at another recent meet in Trinidad, said investigations were continuing and it was likely the outcome would be known later this week.

"The people in Trinidad were very co-operative. But nobody likes to have their system challenged. Let's face it, they don't like the idea of someone coming in from outside and saying: `You screwed up','' he said.

Bermuda Track and Field Association president Judith Simmons and national track and field coach Gerry Swan, both of whom endorsed Bean's performance at the meet, refused to comment.

Bean sets school record, Page 25 RANEIKA BEAN -- her Carifta record may not be ratified by the IAAF.