THE SIDELINES : 1994 Winter Olympics in Doubt

President Gerhard Heiberg of the Lillehammer Olympic Organizing Committee said the 1994 Winter Games may have to be dropped unless the Norwegian Parliament makes firm decisions about investments and arenas by early April, a newspaper reported today.

Lillehammer was awarded the Games by the International Olympic Committee more than two years ago. Parliament has not yet provided the financial guarantees the organizing committee needs to start construction work and other preparations.

The Lillehammer Tilskuer quoted Heiberg as telling local businessmen and investors, “By April 5 the location of arenas, the cost and investment guidelines and the whole organization model must be decided by Parliament. If not, or if major Olympic decisions are delayed until next fall, the entire arrangement is at risk and we should consider dropping the Games.”