Professor Richard Nelson had the chance to do some scientific research last week, but not in the labs here on campus. Instead, he traveled to Lillehammer, Norway, for the Winter Olympic Games.

Nelson, director of the Biomechanics Laboratory at Penn State, conducted studies evaluating Olympic athletes in action. By videotaping these athletes, Nelson and other researchers sought ways to enhance competitors' physical capabilities and to reduce the number of injuries incurred.

"We're the only sports science that can carry out studies during the Games," Nelson said. "As biomechanists, we are not doing lab tests or secondary tests, we're studying them in the competition . . . it's a unique feature."

Nelson arrived in Lillehammer on Feb. 10 and immediately became immersed in the hoopla surrounding the extravagant competition at the opening ceremonies.

"That was one of the highlights," Nelson said. "It was well choreographed, and there was a nice variety of things showing the Norwegian culture. Even the Laplanders were there with their reindeer."

However, Nelson's main concern during his stay was research, not Rudolph. He was a project coordinator for biomechanic studies at the cross-country and the mogul freestyle skiing venues. Nelson and his colleagues, including 1970 Penn State graduate Charles Dillman, record and document the athletes in their various competitions.

"The Olympics are special because all the best athletes in the world are there," said Dillman, a researcher at the Steadman-Hawkins orthopedic clinic in Vail, Colo. "It's a one-time shot, and that creates a high level of motivation in athletes. This provides fairly unique data."

The professor was appointed to the International Olympic Committee Medical Commission in 1986. For Nelson, who has attended the Summer and Winter Games since 1984, these athletic spectacles have become routine. But Lillehamer was a little more special.

"The whole country is engulfed by this event," Nelson said. "The sportsmanship and enthusiasm by the Norwegian fans is unmatched. They were absolutely supportive for every participant."

The Norwegian faithful were also supportive of the American athletes, like speed-skater extraordinaire Bonnie Blair. Nelson has watched Blair win a gold medal at the last three Olympic Games, including this one. But medals don't matter to Nelson.

"It's not part of the Olympic mentality to count up how many medals a country wins," he said. "The medal count may or may not tell how well a country has done."

The Olympic spirit personified.