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Olympics

WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : SPOTLIGHT : WHY THROW AWAY A PERFECTLY GOOD CAP?

By BILL PLASCHKE

Despite 96-degree heat, many of the 10,000 or so Norwegians on hand for the 1-0 victory over Mexico in Washington wore the same blue-and-white wool Viking caps seen at Lillehammer during the Winter Olympics.

In the second half, it was difficult for many of them to see because of the sweat pouring down their red faces. Yet, they refused to discard the caps.

“Every other part of our body is hot, so what is the difference?” asked John Fjelde, a teacher from Stevagee.

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The Norwegians also wore cowbells around their necks.

“In Norway, we use these bells to let us know where to find our sheep and cows,” said Bard Johnson, a student. “Here, we use the bells so you know where to find our fans.”

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Bill Plaschke

Bill Plaschke, an L.A. Times sports columnist since 1996, is a member of the National Sports Media Hall of Fame and California Sports Hall of Fame. He has been named national Sports Columnist of the Year nine times by the Associated Press, and twice by the Society of Professional Journalists and National Headliner Awards. He is the author of six books, including a collection of his columns entitled “Plaschke: Good Sports, Spoilsports, Foul Balls and Oddballs.” Plaschke is also a panelist on the popular ESPN daily talk show, “Around the Horn.” He is in the national Big Brothers/Big Sisters Alumni Hall of Fame and has been named Man of the Year by the Los Angeles Big Brothers/Big Sisters as well as receiving a Pursuit of Justice Award from the California Women’s Law Center. Plaschke has appeared in a movie (“Ali”), a dramatic HBO series (“Luck”) and, in a crowning cultural moment he still does not quite understand, his name can be found in a rap song “Females Welcome” by Asher Roth.

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