TOKYO. Feb LThe head of the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) has slammed organisers ..of the 1998 Winter

Olympics in Nagano. saying the Games won’t be a success unless thw.dftjKbeftgrjob. reports AP.

( Hironpshin Furuhashi coni-elained that he hears "nothing ut bad news" about the preparations. the Kyodo news agency reported Saturday.

Furuhashi’s comments come on the heels to several disputes between Nagano organizers and officials of international sports federations, which have affected some of the Games' premier events.

The International figure skating federation, for instance. has threatened to pull its competition out of the Nagano region unless its leaders are provided with better hotel accommodations during the Games.

Hockey officials, expecting high interest because NHL stars will be making their Olympic debut, complained the new hockey arena wasn't big enough and temporary seating had to be added. And the International alpine skiing federation says the downhill course is too short.

Furuhashi urged organisers

to adopt a more "positive approach" toward participating sports federations. Kyodo said.

"I'm asked by a lot of people whether the Nagano Olympics will turn out OK. “ the former Olympic swimmer said. "If (the committee) does not show a

more enthusiastic attitude, a good mood surrounding the Games will not emerge."

He added: "If it continues like this. I think the Nagaon Games will not be successful."

Furuhashi could be not reached at his home Saturday night f^cq^^t., ’

The Games open on the slopes of the Japan Alps on Ifeb. 7, 1998, just over a year' from now. But preparations have been plagued by cost overruns and a variety of disputes.

Most recently. Nagano Gov. Goro Yoshimura called speed skating uninteresting sand compared the event to "water beetles on a whirligig.’’ After an outraged protest by the skating federation, the governor apologized.

Ironically. Furuhashi, 68. also holds the title of vice president of the Nagaon Olympic organising committee. But unlike Furuhashi, a longtime sports official, most committee staff members are dispatched from the Nagaon prefectural government and local governments.

The biggest concern is the ever-swelling cost of the Games. The latest cost estimate put the bill at dlrs 800 million, up from the initial estimate of 644 million dollars made when Nagano was picked as host in 1991.