WINTER OLYMPICS / NOTEBOOK : U.S. Team Picks Myler to Carry the Flag

Cammy Myler of Lake Placid, N.Y., three-time Olympian in women’s luge competition, will carry the flag for the U.S. team Saturday in the opening ceremony.

Myler was elected by her American teammates Thursday. Others nominated were speedskaters Bonnie Blair, Kristin Talbot and Dan Jansen, and mogul skier Donna Weinbrecht. Blair and Weinbrecht are former gold medalists.

“I think this is really special, that the athletes, my peers, elected me to be the one to embody the Olympic spirit at the opening ceremony,” Myler said. “It’s extra-special because my brother (Tim) is in the hospital (with cancer) and my entire family won’t be able to be here, but they will definitely see me now.”

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Ole Gunnar Fidjestol, a Norwegian who was to have sailed off the ski jump carrying the Olympic torch during the opening ceremony, was injured in practice and will miss what would have been his big moment.

Fidjestol suffered a concussion and a twisted neck when he fell and was hospitalized for observation.

Reserve jumper Stein Gruben will take Fidjestol’s place in the opening ceremony.

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Vegard Ulvang vs. Juan Antonio Samaranch and the International Olympic Committee continues, on a less acrimonious note.

Ulvang, Norwegian cross-country skier and national hero, had criticized Samaranch on Norwegian TV for his ties to the old Franco government of Spain and ripping the IOC for what Ulvang said was a lack of democracy. This sparked a rumor that Ulvang would not be reciting the Olympic oath on behalf of the athletes at the opening ceremony, as scheduled.

Recent developments:

--Ulvang’s critical statements were taped more than a month ago, six days before he knew he would be giving the oath. He did know, however, that the interview was being taped and would be shown on Feb. 8, according to Norwegian TV2.

--It was not Ulvang’s intention to attack Samaranch personally, but rather to criticize the IOC, according to Gerhard Heiberg, president of the Lillehammer Olympic Organizing Committee. Heiberg also said he accepted responsibility for the interview.

--Ulvang apologized to Samaranch at a meeting Thursday and invited Samaranch to dinner. Samaranch, in turn, invited Ulvang to discussions on the work of the IOC.

--No one, other than rumor mongers, has said that Ulvang will not be allowed to deliver the oath.