BELFAST will be put under the microscope by the International Amateur Athletic Federation on Saturday when the city stages its annual cross country race on the course earmarked to host the 1999 World Cross Country Championships for the first time.

Primo Nebiolo, the president of the IAAF, awarded the event to Belfast but now concern is growing within the international governing body at the apparent breakdown of the peace process and the resumption of hostilities.

"If things continue to escalate out of control, as they appear to be doing at the moment, I do not think it will be possible for us to go to Belfast," said a senior IAAF official.

"We have to consider the safety of the athletes we represent. Informal discussions have already taken place with a number of cities who are willing to step in."

It may, therefore, not be a coincidence that Sandro Giovanelli, one of Nebiolo's right hand men, was in England last weekend for the Co Durham cross country races. Durham successively hosted the 1995 World Championships and would have the expertise to organise the event at short notice.

Members of the Belfast 1999 organising committee admit that they have heard the whispers, but say that Nebiolo has assured them that the IAAF have not yet changed their mind.

"The matter was raised with Primo Nebiolo prior to the IAAF gala last month and his response was as far as he was concerned it would still be here," said Brian Hill, a spokesman for the committee. "But we have to accept people are keeping an eye on what happens in the peace process.

A good show on Saturday in the third round of the IAAF World Cross Country Challenge Series, featuring Gete Wami of Ethiopia and Iulia Negura of Romania, the world and European cross country champions respectively, and Paula Radcliffe of Britain, would not harm Belfast's case.