‘94 WINTER OLYMPICS / Lillehammer : DATELINE / LILLEHAMMER : Lasting Memories From Scandinavia

Lasting memories of the XVII Winter Olympics, Lillehammer ‘94:

--Wall-to-wall people on Storgata, making Lillehammer’s little snow-covered Main Street look like Bourbon Street in New Orleans on Fat Tuesday.

--The absurdity of 250 reporters sitting in an auditorium at 1 in the morning, listening to Mike Moran and Harvey Schiller of the U.S. Olympic Committee reading the news releases reporters had just been handed on Tonya Harding’s being allowed to skate in the Games.

--The anguished look on world record-holder Dan Jansen’s face after a slip in the 500-meter race, his speedskating specialty, had cost him, once again, an Olympic medal.

--That lung-searing first breath when you step outdoors on a deceptively sunny winter morning.

--The absurdity of hundreds of reporters, photographers and TV crews waiting to catch a glimpse of Tonya Harding after her arrival in Hamar.

--Bonnie Blair, joyfully singing along to the national anthem on the winner’s podium.

--The room-filling aroma of strong, hearty Norwegian coffee brewing.

--All those moose-crossing signs, and not one moose sighted.

--The realization that there are 7,353 ways of preparing salmon--and that Norwegians know every one of them.

--The humbling view of the ruggedly handsome Norwegian countryside.

--The touching sight of aerial skier Nikki Stone, who had just missed qualifying for the finals herself, hugging and comforting a weeping Kristean Porter, who had messed up her chance by landing on her face.

--Thousands of happy Norwegians--waving flags, singing, cheering, trying to run with the skiers--at race after race at the cross-country stadium.

--The absurdity of Tonya Harding’s coach telling 500 or more reporters at a news conference that only questions deemed appropriate by her would be answered.

--Jere Longman of the New York Times promptly asking Harding, why, since she had lied to reporters about smoking cigarettes and to the FBI about her knowledge of the attack on Nancy Kerrigan, anyone should believe anything she said.

--The look of relief on Dan Jansen’s face as he skated a victory lap, carrying his baby daughter, after finally winning his Olympic gold in the 1,000 meters.

--The unique hockey rink in the mountain at Gjovik.

There is more, of course, much more, but . . . So, adjo Olympics. Adjo Lillehammer. Adjo Norway. Thanks for inviting us.