Over 30 years ago, figure skater Nancy Kerrigan became the victim of a shocking attack that would go down as one of the biggest scandals in sports history.
On January 6, 1994, Shane Stant, a hired hitman, struck Kerrigan’s right leg with a 21-inch collapsible baton, which rendered her unable to compete in the National Championships.
The attack stemmed from a fierce rivalry between Kerrigan and fellow skater Tonya Harding, who turned 54 this week. Frustrated by Kerrigan standing in the way of her Olympic dreams, Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly and her bodyguard, Shawn Eckhardt, hired Stant and his uncle to carry out the attack.
Kerrigan and Harding’s intense rivalry came to a head at the National Championships in Detroit back in January 1994. After a practice session, Stant clubbed Kerrigan’s right knee ahead of the event, with the American superstar’s traumatised face emblazoned across newspaper covers.
As she sat on the floor, Kerrigan tearfully screamed: “Why? Why? Why? Why me?” Fortunately for Kerrigan, she escaped the horrible attack with severe bruising and no broken bones – but it did lead to her being ruled out of the National Championships the following evening.
(Image: DPA/Press Association Images)
Two days after the incident, Harding won gold at the 1994 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and guaranteed her spot at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. Kerrigan was fit enough to compete at the Olympics a month alter, and she was offered a spot to compete at the Games by her fellow skaters.
An FBI investigation was launched into Eckhardt, with Harding’s bodyguard confessing to his involvement in the attack on 12 January, sensationally incriminating Stant, Gillooly and getaway car driver Smith.
The United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) considered banning Harding but decided to allow her to compete as no evidence had surfaced regarding her claims of not being involved in the attack. Gillooly surrendered to the FBI four days after a warrant was issued for his arrest, and confessed on 27 January that he orchestrated the shocking attack – implicating Harding, Eckhardt, Stant and Smith.
Harding continued to deny her involvement in the attack saying: “Despite my mistakes and rough edges, I have done nothing to violate the standards of excellence in sportsmanship that are expected in an Olympic athlete.” In exchange for a lighter sentence, Gillooly testified against Harding and plead guilty to racketeering – and days later, Gillooly and Harding’s rubbish was recovered, with notes of Kerrigan’s practice schedule found.
(Image: Getty Images)
It was confirmed by a handwriting expert that Harding did indeed write the notes. Both Harding and Kerrigan took to the ice at an Olympic practice session for the first time since the attack on February 17 1994, with Kerrigan dramatically wearing the same outfit she wore on the fateful day of the attack. “Humour is good, it’s empowering,” said Kerrigan.
On 25 February, Harding’s quest for a medal was derailed by a broken shoelace, and she finished outside the points with fans and media alike calling it ‘karma’ – while Kerrigan emotionally secured a silver medal with a beautiful routine, although she was surprisingly upset by 16-year-old superstar Oksana Baiul.
As evidence began to rise against her, Harding officially plead guilty to the charge of ‘conspiracy to hinder prosecution’ on 16 March, accepting a plea bargain.
Harding received three years probation and was given a $160,000 fine. Her 1994 national championships title was revoked, and she was awarded a lifetime ban from the USFSA. With the exception of Harding, everyone else involved in Kerrigan’s attack served jail time.