The Infamous Scandal That Shook the World
In a scandal that sent shockwaves around the globe, Tonya Harding's bitter rivalry with fellow figure skater Nancy Kerrigan took a dark turn just seven weeks before the 1994 Olympic Winter Games.
Kerrigan was viciously attacked, clubbed on the knee by an unknown assailant.
It was soon discovered that Harding was involved, and allegations arose that her ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, had hired the attacker.
The media quickly crafted a narrative that painted Kerrigan as the innocent victim, while portraying Harding as the rough-around-the-edges assailant from the wrong side of the tracks.
Decades later, Margot Robbie brought Tonya Harding's story to life in the 2017 biopic “I, Tonya.”
The film surprisingly offers a sympathetic portrayal of Harding, delving into her life before, during, and after the shocking event.
The Lead-Up to the Attack
Prior to the 1994 assault, the competition between Kerrigan and Harding was intensifying.
Both skaters had participated in the 1992 Olympic Games in Albertville, France, where Kerrigan secured the bronze medal, narrowly surpassing Harding, who placed fourth.
Harding had been the favored contender before the 1992 games, having made history as the first American woman to successfully land the triple axel in competition in the fall of 1991.
Unfortunately, she was never able to replicate this feat in subsequent competitions.
Meanwhile, Kerrigan's success at the 1992 Olympics earned her the title of America's Sweetheart, leading to lucrative sponsorship deals and widespread acclaim that eluded Harding.
As they competed against each other in the lead-up to the 1994 games, both skaters fought for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.
The Attack on Kerrigan
Less than two months before the Olympics, Kerrigan was assaulted during a practice session in Detroit, an incident that unfolded before the cameras.
It later emerged that the attacker, Shane Stant, had been hired by Harding's ex-husband Gillooly and her bodyguard, Shawn Eckardt.
However, Harding denied any knowledge of Stant in the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary series episode covering the attack.
The intention behind the attack was to break Kerrigan's right leg, preventing her from participating in the competition.
Despite sustaining only bruises, Kerrigan courageously went on to compete in the 1994 Games held in Lillehammer, Norway, where she earned the silver medal.
In contrast, Harding struggled with her laces and finished in eighth place.
Media speculation surrounding Harding and Gillooly grew after the attack, leading to conflicting statements during interviews with the FBI.
Gillooly accepted a plea bargain, serving six months in prison after testifying against Harding.
Stant, Eckardt, and the getaway car driver, Derrick Smith, also faced imprisonment for their involvement in the assault.
Harding vehemently denied her role in the scandal but was eventually convicted of hindering the investigation.
She received three years of probation, 500 hours of community service, and a hefty $160,000 fine.
Furthermore, she was permanently banned from the U.S.
Figure Skating Association.
The Aftermath
In 2004, Kerrigan was honored with induction into the Figure Skating Hall of Fame.
She later became a special correspondent during several Olympic events, returning to the limelight.
Kerrigan even participated in season 24 of “Dancing with the Stars,” impressively making it to week seven of the popular television competition alongside her partner Artem Chigvintsev.
Gillooly chose to retreat from the public eye, changing his name to Jeff Stone.
However, he agreed to be interviewed for the movie “I, Tonya,” marking his first public appearance since the incident.
Eckardt, who later changed his name to Brian Sean Griffith, unfortunately passed away in 2007 at the age of 40 due to natural causes.
Life after the scandal proved challenging for Harding.
Arrested twice, once for a DUI and once for an attempted suicide, she faced numerous personal struggles.
However, in 2010, Harding married Joseph Jens Price, and the couple welcomed a son the following year.
According to screenwriter Steven Rogers, whenever Harding's son is mentioned, she lights up with joy.
In a surprising turn of events, Harding attended the Los Angeles premiere of “I, Tonya,” where she was seen wiping away tears as she posed with Margot Robbie, who portrayed her in the film.
Similar to Kerrigan, Harding also participated in “Dancing with the Stars.”
In season 26, a four-week event featuring only athletes, she was paired with professional dancer Sasha Farber and finished third overall.
Despite consistently denying her involvement in the scandal, Harding expresses remorse about the Kerrigan incident.
“Of course, I feel guilty for what
