THE OLYMPICS / WINTER GAMES AT ALBERTVILLE : NOTES

U.S. speedskater Eric Flaim of Pembroke, Mass., was so encouraged by his sixth-place finish in the 5,000 meters Thursday that he all but predicted he would win medals in Sunday’s 1,500 and Tuesday’s 1,000 at the Olympic Oval. “I’m skating better than anyone right now with the exception of (the Unified Team’s) Igor Zhelezovski in the 1,000, and the 1,500 is a super race for me,” said Flaim, 24. “I realize I haven’t had great World Cup results this year, but I know what I’m capable of in a big race.”

In 1988 at Calgary, Flaim finished second in the 1,500 and fourth in the 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000.

How wound up were the French about their one-two finish in Wednesday’s Nordic combined? Following are excerpts from an editorial Thursday in a leading newspaper from the Savoy region, Le Dauphine Libere:

“There are some moments that make life worth living. Yesterday afternoon, under the pure-ice gaze of the Vanoise, two Frenchmen kissed the stars, bringing us a masterpiece of a sporting feat.

“Fabrice Guy, superman, slayer of uncertainty, and Sylvain Guillaume, who suddenly resolved to leap onto the wings of a triumphant wind and conquered everyone’s heart. They have become masters of the universe.”