THE OLYMPICS: WINTER GAMES AT ALBERTVILLE : A Matter of Heritage Becomes a Very Special Source of Pride

David Delfino never knew his grandfather, Domenic. But his ancestor will be his inspiration Sunday, when Delfino dons the uniform of the Italian Olympic hockey team and faces his friends and former college rivals on the U.S. Olympic hockey team.

Delfino grew up in Medford, Mass., where his parents still live, and was a goalie for Lowell University. His grandfather’s Italian birth enabled Delfino to fulfill a dream that would otherwise have gone unrealized.

“I never figured I’d play in the Olympics. Even when I was in high school, I didn’t get the opportunity to play in the Sports Festival or anything like that,” said Delfino, who went to high school with U.S. winger Joe Sacco and played against forwards Clark Donatelli and David Emma. “I have to thank my grandfather. I’m playing for him.”

Delfino, 26, helped Italy win the B pool at last year’s world championships and earn a berth in the Olympic tournament. He plays for the Fassa club in Canazei, a ski resort town of about 3,500. “They’ve been treating me very well. I’m very content in Italy,” said Delfino, whose wife, Tracey, sends tapes of his games back to David’s father to critique.

Delfino acknowledged Friday that he is nervous about his big start Sunday, knowing that his family and friends will be watching back on Elm Street in Medford.

“I’m trying to think of it as just another game, but that’s tough,” he said. “I’m just hoping for a good game. We do have a good hockey team, with a lot of goal scoring.

“I’m not expecting miracles here, but sixth, seventh, eighth place (out of 12 teams) would be a medal for Italy. We might be a spoiler. Some team might take us lightly and think we’re an easy two points, but by the end of the tournament they’ll know they can’t take us lightly.”