Now a retired American figure skater, Tonya Harding‘s popularity peaked in the late 1980s and early 90s. However, a scandal involving another skater banned her from the U.S. Figure Skating Association for life.
Harding’s rivalry with fellow American figure Nancy Kerrigan was intense. They competed in the 1992 Winter Olympic Games in Albertville, France, where the former came fourth while the latter won the bronze medal by coming third. Going into this event, Harding was a fan favorite because, in 1991, she became the first American woman to perform a triple axel in a competition.
During the 1992 Olympic Games, Kerrigan’s popularity saw a hike. She received sponsorship deals, and it almost looked like she was en route to the event as the nation’s sweetheart. Two years later, the 1994 Winter Games were going to take place in Lillehammer, Norway, and both skaters were aiming to be on the U.S. Olympic team.
However, weeks before the event, a man named Shane Stant reportedly attacked Kerrigan during one of her practice sessions. Per People Magazine, the attack was intended to break her right leg so that she couldn’t participate in the competition. Thankfully, the skater only suffered bruises and went on to complete and win silver at the 1994 Olympic Winter Games. Meanwhile, Harding faced problems with her laces in the same competition and ranked eighth. After a thorough investigation, authorities discovered Tonya Harding’s involvement in the attack. She pled guilty to conspiracy to hinder prosecution and was punished for her actions.
Tonya Harding’s story has been the subject of a documentary titled The Price of Gold, an ESPN 30 for 30 episode. Furthermore, the 2017 biographical sports mockumentary black comedy film I, Tonya, sees Australian actress Margot Robbie portraying the former skater.
When was Nancy Kerrigan attacked?
According to People Magazine, on January 6, 1994, Shane Stant was supposed to attack Nancy Kerrigan on her lower right thigh with a telescopic baton. Cameras captured this entire ordeal, leading to an investigation involving the FBI.
Authorities found that Tonya Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, and her bodyguard, Shawn Eckardt, hired Stant to injure Kerrigan. The FBI interviewed both Gillooly and Eckardt. Eventually, Gillooly testified against his ex-wife and accepted a plea bargain, for which he spent six months in prison.
Alongside Gillooly, Stant, Eckardt, and getaway car driver Derrick Smith also received jail time. The outlet reported that even though Tonya Harding initially denied her involvement in the incident, she was convicted and received three years of probation, 500 hours of community service, and a $160,000 fine. Additionally, the U.S. Figure Skating Association banned her participation for life.
To date, the now 53-year-old Harding denies her involvement in the attack on Kerrigan. However, per People Magazine, she regrets the scandal. In 2008, she stated, “Of course, I feel guilty for what happened. But I can’t dwell. I have to go on living.”
However, her life after the incident was strenuous. The publication noted that she got arrested twice, once for attempting suicide and again for DUI. In 2010, she married Joseph Jens Price, and a year later, the couple welcomed their son Gordon.
