Olympic hopeful Nancy Kerrigan was attacked at a Detroit ice
rink following a practice session two days before the Olympic
trials. A man hit Kerrigan with a club on the back of her knee,
causing the figure skater to cry out in pain and bewilderment.
When the full story emerged a week later, the nation became
caught up in a real-life soap opera.
One of Kerrigan’s chief rivals for a place on the U.S. Figure
Skating Team was Tonya Harding. In mid-December 1993,
Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, approached Shawn
Eckardt about somehow eliminating Kerrigan from the
competition.
Eckardt set up a meeting with Derrick Smith and Shane
Stant, who agreed to injure Kerrigan for a fee.
Tonya Harding pleaded guilty to conspiracy to hinder the
prosecution of Kerrigan’s attackers. She was fined $100,000
and sentenced to probation and 500 hours of community
service.
Other than Gillooly’s testimony, there was never any further
evidence of Harding’s knowledge of the plans before the
attack.
From left: Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan.
January 14, 1994.
Tanya Harding turned 55 on November 12th. She
was born in Portland, Oregon.
Nancy Kerrigan became 56 October 13th.
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