WINTER OLYMPICS / NOTEBOOK : No One’s Stopping Norway’s Ulvang From Criticizing the IOC

The hot rumor Wednesday, entirely unsubstantiated, was that Vegard Ulvang, Norwegian cross-country skiing hero, would not be allowed to recite the Olympic oath, as scheduled, on behalf of all the athletes at Saturday’s opening ceremony.

Ulvang has frequently been critical of the International Olympic Committee and its president, Juan Antonio Samaranch, and repeated those criticisms Tuesday on Norwegian television.

Ulvang said that Samaranch, a former minister in Spain’s Franco regime, which he described as fascist, was hardly a worthy representative of international sport. He also said democracy was lacking in the IOC.

Despite the rumors, reaction was bland. Sandy Napier, spokesman for the IOC, said Ulvang’s comments showed he had little knowledge of Samaranch or the IOC and that the organization was far more democratic than it was a decade ago.

“Ulvang is most welcome at IOC or the IOC Athletes’ Commission to meet and talk about this,” Napier said.

The Lillehammer Olympic Organizing Committee said Ulvang was free to voice his opinions and that his statements were not a problem.

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Figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, who had not planned to march in the opening ceremony, apparently has changed her mind.

Marit Rasmussen, the LOOC’s figure skating consultant in nearby Hamar, said Kerrigan would attend the opening ceremony and was a potential flag bearer for the U.S. team.