THE International Ski Federation said yesterday it would consider moving the 1998 Winter Olympic downhills out of Japan if arrangements were not satisfactory. Inspections and test events staged on the projected course have proved the layout is too short and does not meet FIS minimum standards.

Nagano organisers have suggested to FIS that if it is unhappy with the course, the downhills could be staged in two heats. FIS has rejected the idea, while growing increasingly frustrated at the organisers' refusal to make full use of the mountain.

According to FIS general secretary Gian Franco Kasper, the Nagano officials steadfastly refuse to move the start higher up into a national park despite the fact there are already lifts and facilities in place being used by recreational skiers.

"The most interesting part is the upper section," Kasper said. "There is a nice jump but they refuse to use it. We don't understand why everyone can ski on this course but Olympic athletes."