Nancy Kerrigan, the figure skater who was attacked by a hit squad orchestrated by her rival Tonya Harding’s ex-husband, spoke to reporters about her emotions after watching a documentary on the scandal.
The event, which took place 20 years ago, deeply affected Kerrigan, and watching it again brought back feelings of helplessness and confusion.
Unlike in 1994, when hundreds of media members hounded her, only a handful of reporters were present during the press conference in Sochi where Kerrigan spoke.
She appeared nervous as she fumbled with her mobile phone and adjusted her jacket.
Kerrigan admitted that the incident not only changed the world of skating but also had an impact on tabloid journalism and reality television.
Kerrigan and Harding were both rising stars in American figure skating when they competed in the US championships in Detroit in 1994.
However, Kerrigan’s chances at the Lillehammer Olympics were dashed when she was attacked and injured by an associate of Harding’s ex-husband.
This incident led to a scandal that made figure skating mainstream and turned Kerrigan into an uncomfortable subject of international fascination.
After the attack, Kerrigan managed to recover in time for the Olympics and won a silver medal.
Meanwhile, Harding’s life spiraled out of control, with her becoming a celebrity known for her involvement in televised boxing matches and guest appearances on TV shows.
In contrast, Kerrigan retreated to a private family life and rarely spoke about her experience until now, on the 20th anniversary of the incident.
During the documentary screening, Kerrigan sat at the back of the room while the show recounted her rise to fame, the attack on her, and Harding’s denial of any involvement.
Kerrigan expressed sympathy for Harding due to her difficult upbringing but emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes and moving on.
Despite her desire to move past the incident, there are still moments when Kerrigan shows lingering pain and resentment.
When journalist Mary Carillo was asked about Harding’s denial, Kerrigan chuckled in exasperation.
She also spoke about how she was portrayed as an “ice princess” and mocked for her emotional response to the attack and her opinion of a parade at Walt Disney World.
Kerrigan found these portrayals unfair and upsetting, as she has always wanted to be understood and liked.
In conclusion, Nancy Kerrigan’s life changed drastically after the attack orchestrated by Tonya Harding’s ex-husband.
The incident not only affected her figure skating career but also had a lasting impact on tabloid journalism and reality TV.
Despite the passage of time, Kerrigan still carries some pain and resentment and hopes that both she and Harding can move on from the incident.
