Who'd blame Native Indians for flops? Norwegians would

VANCOUVER (Reuters) - Canadian Indian chief Bob Chamberlin denied on Friday putting a mystical curse on the Norwegian Olympic team at the Vancouver Games -- and Norway's gold medal haul appeared to back him up.

"I was taken a bit aback," Chamberlin told Reuters with a laugh at news reports from Norway that suggested an aboriginal curse explained setbacks suffered by the Nordic winter sports powerhouse during the Games' early days.

A broadcaster sought out a Norwegian shaman after the Nordic nation was shocked when it failed to win the early cross country events. Norway had to wait until day five of the Games to satiate its hunger for Olympic gold in Vancouver.

The reports, which were picked up in Canadian media, quoted the shaman as suggesting the curse was a result of aboriginal anger over Norwegian-owned fish farms in their traditional territory on Canada's Pacific coast.

It was noted a protest fast organised by Chamberlin and the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council ended just before Canada beat Norway 8-0 in men's ice hockey on Tuesday.

"You don't know the ribbing I'm taking from my friends and family," Chamberlin said of his supposed powers, adding that he also has friends in Norway.

Norway's King Harald V was scheduled to visit the Vancouver Games and Chamberlin would like to talk about the environmental threat of open-net fish farming -- and, yes, another issue.

"We'll eat some wild salmon, talk about the fish farms, and about how Canada whooped Norway. A respectful discussion. Just the facts," he told Reuters.

After a slow start, Norway's Olympic team seems to have regained their stride in Vancouver and now stand second in the medals count on Friday with five golds and 10 overall, three more than hosts Canada.