OSLO—As Norway's fortunes in the Sochi Games waned, it became clear to many Norwegians who was to blame: the guy in charge of waxing.

That would be Knut Nystad, chief ski wax technician for his country's Olympics team. Early in the Games, when Norway's cross-country skiers sailed to the podium, Mr. Nystad was a national hero. But when they then faltered—and didn't medal at all in the men's and women's cross-country relays—the skiers blamed Mr. Nystad and his team. So did hordes of fans back home.

...