A ROW has broken out between the Swiss and the Italian press over coverage of the recent avalanche disasters in the Alps. The Swiss are particularly indignant about the Italian La Stampa newspaper whose report was headlined: "Death Above The Town That Is Dreaming Of The Olympic Games."

Owned by the Agnelli Group and the voice of the Turin bid to host the 2006 Winter Olympics, the treatment of the disaster is being seen as a cynical ploy to undermine the bid of Valais, who are also hoping to stage the 2006 Games.

The Italians have been accused of infringing the rules of fair play and are now exploiting the consequences of the disaster to damage the Valais effort. The avalanches affected practically the entire Alpine region. Now, who was it said that bidding cities for Olympic Games would have to clean up their acts?