THE FRENCH ALPINE CITY OF GRENOBLE IS TAKING ON A NEW APPEARANCE AS NEW BUILDINGS BEING ERECTED FOR THE 1968 OLYMPIC GAMES RISE.

MASSIVE BUILDING AND EXCAVATION WORKS ARE PROCEEDING BOTH IN THE CITY AND IN THE NEARBY ALPS WHERE THE EVENTS WILL BE HELD, BETWEEN THE 6TH AND 18TH FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR.

GRENOBLE SERVES TWO ROLES - IT IS THE HOME OF MANY FRENCH INDUSTRIES, BUT ALSO IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR ALPINE RESORTS IN FRANCE. IT IS SAID OF GRENOBLE THAT THERE IS A MOUNTAIN AT THE END OF EVERY STREET.

AMONG THE CONSTRUCTION WORK IN PROGRESS IS THE ERECTION OF A STADIUM AND COMPETITORS' ACCOMMODATION AREA, THE INSTALLATION OF FIVE CHAIR LIFTS TO THE SKI SLOPES, THE PREPARATION OF TABOGGANING AND BOBSLEIGH COURSES, AND THE LAYING OF SEVERAL MILES OF SEALED ROADWAY.

THE OLYMPIC CENTRE, SOUTH OF GRENOBLE, WILL CONSIST OF A VILLAGE TO ACCOMMODATE 2,300 PEOPLE - ATHLETES, COACHES AND OFFICIALS - AND A LODGING CENTRE WHERE NEARLY 10,500 OFFICIALS WILL BE HOUSED. IT IS A MASSIVE COMPLEX OF BUILDINGS, BETWEEN TWO STOREYS AND 16 STOREYS TALL.

THE ICE SKATING STADIUM, EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN JUNE, WILL HAVE ACCOMMODATION FOR 11,500 SPECTATORS. THE STADIUM COVERS AN AREA OF 128-THOUSAND SQUARE FEET (12,000 SQ. M.). IT HAS A SPEED RING, A SKATING RINK AND PRACTICE AREAS, AND WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST UP TO DATE STRUCTURES OF ITS TYPE IN THE WORLD.

(COMPETITORS TAKING PART IN THE PRE-OLYMPIC EVENTS AT GRENOBLE TODAY - THURSDAY - THREATENED TO GO ON STRIKE IN PROTEST AGAINST THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS AND THE CONDITIONS OF THE SKI SLOPES).