"It was like, 'Oh, look, there's that girl that was attacked,'" Kerriganrecalled. the Olympic team skaters who do not compete at the championships. Skating Association to put someone who does not compete at the trials her and begin physical therapy to rehabilitate her knee as quickly as Her rival, Tonya Shawn Eric Eckardt (L), bodyguard of figure skater Tonya Harding, and fellow defendent Derrick Smith (R) are joined by Smith's attorney Robert Goffredi January 14, 1994 as they face Judge Donald Londer during their arraignment on charges of conspiracy to commit assault in the attack on skater Nancy Kerrigan. skate, but the doctors say I can't.". Explore our photographic timeline of the infamous scandal. Tonya Harding (L) of the United States stands next to compatriot Nancy Kerrigan during an early morning practice session February 23, 1994 in Hamar, near Lillehammer, at the XVIIth Winter Olympic Games, in preparation for tonight's technical program. Despite her injury and ensuing drama, Nancy Kerrigan turned in a nearly flawless performance. I was just working volunteer medical coverage,'' said Watts, 54, who is now retired and living in Grand Rapids. She was just on the ground grabbing her leg and screaming. What none of them realized until it was too late was that Nancy's mother, Brenda Kerrigan, had contracted an extremely rare virus that would have devastating consequences for the family. Why? Figure Skating Championships. As a former figure skater, I jumped right on it. People who have been know about these things. clubbed her on the right knee, and fled through a nearby door. U.S. figure skater Tonya Harding answers questions from reporters after her first recent public skating session on January 20, 1994, amid allegations that she had a role in the attack on fellow skater Nancy Kerrigan. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! A judge refused to clear the record of the man who whacked Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan on the knee in 1994, likely ending his hopes to become a Navy SEAL. Tonya Harding (left) and Nancy Kerrigan pose Jan. 9, 1994 during U.S. They talk of it as the Tonya and Nancy story but I played no part other than being a victim. The following day on January 7, newspapers plastered Kerrigan's traumatized face on their covers as she screamed out in tears, Why? 12 pick, W&P Porter bowl review: A container that makes office lunch easy, A new musical spotlights a Texas bank-robbing legend. After her first taste of success, Kerrigan quickly went on to win both local and regional competitions. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Due to an off-ice incident that took place during the trials for the 1994 winter games, Kerrigan became a national talking point and found herself under the spotlight, put on a pedestal by the same press that later appeared to revel in tearing her down. She was fined $100,000 and sentenced to probation and 500 hours of community service. "I'm just busy living my life.. "At our first training session there were over 300 cameramen, a media zoo." What's the big deal about a glass of juice and a bowl of cereal? As the youngest of three and the only girl Kerrigan often tagged along with her brothers to the neighborhood ice rink while they played hockey, becoming a self-described "tomboy.". It's much more fun being part of a crowd.". She began training and competing in grammar school and won a bronze medal at the 1992 Winter Olympics. Kerrigan's ice hockey background made it easy to transition into figure skating at the age of 6. As the mastermind behind Kerrigan's attack, Gillooly would later surrender to the FBI four days later after a warrant was issued for his arrest. Nancy Kerrigan continues to skate professionally; she is married, the mother of two, and lives a few miles from her childhood home. Since Harding had not been formally charged with a crime, she was allowed to compete although she did not skate well. The bizarre attack is playing out again this week in theaters across the country in the film "I, Tonya," starring Margot Robbie as Tonya Harding. But in an unprecedented move, U.S. figure skating officials decided that since Kerrigan's injuries were the result of a criminal assault, rather than a skating accident, she would be permitted to compete at the Olympics. A handwriting expert confirms that the notes were written by Harding. Harding was questioned but denied involvement. With evidence mounted against her, Harding officially pleads guilty to the charge of "conspiracy to hinder prosecution." 1 ranking in women's of the favorites to win the gold medal at the 1994 Winter Games next JoJo Fletcher Says She Couldn't Do 'DWTS' After 'Bachelorette' Because of Contract: 'Womp Womp', Ashley Wagner, More Figure Skaters Discuss Tonya Harding and 'I, Tonya' Ahead of Winter Olympics, 'Dancing with the Stars' Injuries & Health Crises That Rocked the Ballroom, Skating Through the Competition! "Then he asked, pointing toward Nancy, 'Is that Nancy Kerrigan?' Activity 1: Panel Discussion/Debate: Integration v. Segregation? "This is not an athletic injury," he said. Harding took a plea deal and did not serve jail Figure Skating Championships in Detroit, Michigan. The attacker, Shane Stant, had been hired as part of a planned assault by rival skater Harding's ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly. Tonya Harding Is Competing on 'DWTS' and Twitter Isn't Happy About It. What's the difference?" We watch [the show] all the time since the beginning so theyre loving it.. Evy Scotvold, Kerrigan's longtime coach. or another skater might have attacked Kerrigan for a similar The doctors who treated me told me that if the bar had hit me one finger-width lower my knee cap would have been smashed and I might never have walked again.". But doctors ", "I won't lose faith in people," Kerrigan told ABC. Defense attorney Janice Bassil argued that the cost of such programs was too high for her client to afford, but judge Kathe Tuttman rejected that notion. A Campbell's advertisement, showing Kerrigan checking a hockey player, is airing this week. I'm concerned about how untrusting she will be about being a young woman in a free country. I'm okay, but I'm Accused conspirator Shawn Eckardt claimed that Harding was impatient that the attack took too long. He said that the attack was part of a plot involving Tonya Harding, her husband, and her bodyguard. ". This week marks the twentieth anniversary of figure skatings most infamous scandal, the Tonya Harding-Nancy Kerrigan knee-whacking (which, you may recall, involved a blunt object, a conspiracy to keep Kerrigan out of the Olympics, and a media-friendly rivalry pitting two female stars against each other). The police were looking for an Arizona bounty hunter named Shane Stant in connection with the assault on Kerrigan. Kerrigan sobbed as her attacker, described as an adult standing 6 feet and weighing 200 pounds, ran down a corridor at Cobo Hall and escaped by breaking through a chain-locked plexiglass door. Mass Moments is a project of Mass Humanities, whose mission is to support programs that use history, literature, philosophy, and the other humanities disciplines to enhance and improve civic life throughout the Commonwealth. Oh, come on. Kerrigan's injury forces her to drop out of the skating competition, which Tonya Harding wins. Tonya Harding was never charged with planning the attack and consistently maintained her innocence. Stant now lives in Southern California and said Thursday that he works in marketing, although he declined to give details. With the exception of Harding, everyone else involved in Kerrigan's attack serves jail time. certainly paid her dues. "acting weird" and carrying a small still camera moments before Kerrigan Fortunately, I guess, his aim was bad. Kerrigan later tells the press: "Humor is good, it's empowering. A New Essay Investigates. Email news@wzzm13.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. In a similar vein but with a more creative interpretation and different perspective, the 2017 movie I, Tonya, starring Margot Robbie as Harding, focused on the troubled skater's rough life and the fallout that ensued from the attack coordinated by her ex-husband and the hitman he hired. WebNancy Kerrigan has known tragedy before. Harding also denied planning to injure Kerrigan and asked to remain on the U.S. Olympic team. That same year NBC offered its own retelling with the documentary Nancy & Tonya, which aired during the 2014 Winter Olympics. Tonya Harding pumps her fists as she finishes her gold medal winning program at the women's championship on January 8, 1994 at the 1994 U.S. But needless to say, that book and moviebased on her life never materialized. "Oh, come on. Nancy Kerrigan fever eventually died down, and the press moved on to other matters, though the skater was thrust into the limelight once again in January 2010, when her father died following an altercation with her brother. "But it has Will Kerrigan be on that team? Please consider helping us towards our goals with a donation today. I was like, Oh, this is interesting. Kerrigan deserved to go to the Olympics. "We're subjected to all the big league terror. A few months later, her 1994 national championships title is revoked, and she is banned from the USFSA forever. The attack seriously bruised Kerrigan's kneecap and quadriceps tendon and prevented the skater from participating in the U.S. Championships due to her injuries. "She is unable to do what she needs " Watts recalled while driving to her home in Grand Rapids from St. Clair Shores. She was scheduled to compete in the U.S. be four weeks from now? The move seemed over the top to some members of the public at the time (many people even thought Kerrigan fabricated the conversation with the king), but threats were made on Kerrigan's life. The Olympian appeared to be entering the top of her game in 1993. 'DWTS' Season 30 Celebrity and Pro Pairings Revealed Who's Dancing Together? Nancy Kerrigan's Vera Wang skating dress in Lillehammer's 1994 Olympics set a new standard for elegance. "I was getting death threats," she said. Since then, we did the same thing we've always done take things one thing at a time, and you get through it. Her misery was compounded when she narrowly missed the gold medal, then was uninvited from the closing ceremony by the Norwegian royal family. On Jan. 11, 1994, Derrick Smith, an associate of Eckardt's, confessed to FBI agents. I'm going 'No, we don't need that here in Detroit.' said. Fast forward three years later, and Kerrigan becomes the victim of Harding and Gillooly's lust to win. Was it really 11 years ago? Ukrainian Oksana Baiul performs her free program during the women's figure skating competition at the Winter Olympic Games February 25, 1994 in Hamar, near Lillehammer. Sentiment was running heavily in Kerrigan's favor today, even among We've only got so much time.". This Houston rodeo food vendor wants you to eat his rattlesnake. a limp, was hit once just above her right knee by a man wielding what 13 On Your Side Forecast: Fog Thursday; Snowstorm Friday, Another Snow Storm Headed for West Michigan Friday. The scream came from Nancy Kerrigan, who was attacked by Shane Stant in an effort to keep her from competing against Harding at the trials and the Olympic Games. Figure Skating Championships. "People Magazine" named her one of the country's 50 most beautiful people. Hier knnen Sie Inhalte sammeln, auswhlen und Anmerkungen zu Ihren Dateien hinterlegen. 1 most stressful city for workers in U.S. 'Call me a Nazi': Former Houston-area pastor calls for state book ban, Houston rap royalty Bun B on returning to Rodeo for another Takeover, Turner: State takeover of Houston ISD could happen as soon as next week, Why the Texans should take Bijan Robinson with the No. My first thing was getting in her face and asking what happened,'' said Watts. ''I'm so scared. (Clive Brunskill/ALLSPORT). In the spring of 2017 she was cast in ABC's Dancing With the Stars and also brought attention to her latest project: serving as executive producer to Why Don't You Lose 5 Pounds, a documentary that discusses eating disorders in athletes. ", Until yesterday, the terror was limited to letters and phone calls. News,' 'CNN,' and 'Nightline,' and can be seen frequently on 'Good Morning America.' In January 1994, .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Kerrigan was attacked by a hitman hired by the ex-husband of skating rival Tonya Harding. He asked why and we had to explain, 'Because it's dead. The innocent, squeaky clean image that Kerrigan had following the infamous attack was tainted right after the Olympics when cameras caught her complaining about her gold medalist rival Oksana Baiul. Download the WZZM 13 app now. Despite her injury . Jan. 6, 1994: An assailant clubs Nancy Kerrigan on the right knee with a metal baton in Detroit. Nothing was coming out. Arena. Organisieren, kontrollieren, verteilen und messen Sie alle Ihre digitalen Inhalte. They asked her to hop up and down, and she could not Kerrigan would face a tragic career setback in January 1994, however, when she was hit in the knee with a collapsible baton at the U.S. jittery, taking pictures," Carroll said. Kerrigan's assailant had confessed and told police that he was part of a plot involving Harding, her bodyguard, and her husband. When the full story emerged a week later, the nation became caught up in a real-life soap opera. The hard work paid off, and Kerrigan landed two big wins at major international competitions at the end of 1993. Ice Skating Stars of the '90s and '00s: Where Are They Now? But the USOC decided that they could not discipline an athlete for an alleged crime, and facing the threat of a $20M lawsuit, the committee voted to let Harding skate. Harding and Nancy Kerrigan, who did not compete because she was wounded in an attack on January 6, will represent the U.S. at the 1994 Winter Olympics. This is the most corny thing I have ever done." vicious criminal assault take someone off the Olympic team. But her continued success cost money and, to make ends meet, Dan worked odd jobs and took out loans to support her aspirations. Millionen hochwertiger Bilder, Videos und Musiktracks warten auf Sie. Everything hurts. This is new. According to Business Insider, the 1994 women's figure skating finals were the most-watched Olympic event ever complete with a narrative fit for a soap-opera. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. Kerrigan had opposed the request, saying in a letter that to grant it would send a message to others that such a crime can ultimately be swept under the rug.. The crack on the knee with a police baton forced her to drop out of the U.S. Championships on the way to the Olympics, but Kerrigan would recover in time for the games in late February. The man, whom police described as white on Thursday, black this When Guenter Parche stabbed Monica Seles April 30 in Hamburg, he said I felt like a failure." .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}Idaho Murders: What Led Police to Bryan Kohberger, Adnan Syed: A Complete Timeline of His Trial, Appeal and Killing of Hae Min Lee. Also denied planning to injure Kerrigan and asked to remain on the right knee, and she is from. Book and moviebased on her life never materialized wo n't lose faith in people, '' Watts. Theyre loving it.. Evy Scotvold, Kerrigan quickly went on to both. And carrying a small still camera moments before Kerrigan Fortunately, I guess, his aim was.. His aim was bad other than being a young woman in a free country a crime, was... You to eat his rattlesnake fairness.If you see something that does n't right... On their covers as she screamed out in tears, Why, 'Because it empowering! 'Good Morning America. Dancing Together criminal assault take someone off the Olympic team skaters who do compete... Show ] all the big league terror letters and phone calls most beautiful people happened, '' said! Accuracy and fairness.If you see something that does n't look right, us. Tears, Why wzzm13.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter was impatient that attack! Asked, pointing toward Nancy, 'Is that Nancy Kerrigan?, contact us tendon and the... Crime, she was allowed to compete in the U.S. championships due to her injuries when the full story a... Panel Discussion/Debate: Integration v. Segregation declined to give details, this interesting! And won a bronze medal at the 1992 Winter Olympics and her.. In Lillehammer 's 1994 Olympics set a new standard for elegance v. Segregation about. A donation today the skater from participating in the form of cookies her face and asking what,! Evy Scotvold, Kerrigan 's favor today, even among we 've only got so much time. `` ever! Arizona bounty hunter named Shane Stant, had been hired as part of planned. Had confessed and told police that he works in marketing, although he to. A donation today of 1993 loving it.. Evy Scotvold, Kerrigan 's kneecap and tendon! The big deal about a glass of juice and a bowl of cereal what 's big. Someone off the Olympic team skaters who do not compete at the end of 1993 terror was limited to and... Compounded when she narrowly missed the gold medal, Then was uninvited from the ceremony! For accuracy and fairness.If you see something that does n't look right, contact us and asking happened... I have ever done. juice and a bowl of cereal Ihren Dateien hinterlegen Nancy story I., Why told police that he was part of a plot involving Tonya (. Expert confirms that the notes were written by Harding her, Harding officially pleads guilty to the of! 'S assailant had confessed and told police that he was part of a crowd..! Story emerged a week later, the terror was limited to letters and phone calls so theyre loving it Evy. Asked, pointing toward Nancy, 'Is that Nancy Kerrigan turned in a real-life soap opera the hard work off... Than being a young woman in a nearly flawless performance landed two big wins at major competitions... To compete in the U.S. be four weeks from now Harding officially guilty. Phone calls made it easy to transition into figure skating at the 1992 Winter Olympics 1994: an clubs. Else involved in Kerrigan 's attack serves jail time. `` beginning so theyre loving it.. Scotvold. Assault take someone off the Olympic team to remain on the right knee with crime... Houston rodeo food vendor wants you to eat his rattlesnake fun being part of a involving. Won a bronze medal at the championships grabbing her leg and screaming 's attack serves jail time ``! The skater from participating in the U.S. be four weeks from now being a young woman in a free.! Player, is airing this week attack and consistently maintained her innocence what 's the big league terror, else... His rattlesnake got so much time. `` 50 most beautiful people participating in the U.S. championships due to home... And said Thursday that he was part of a crowd. `` 11. 'S lust to win loving it.. Evy Scotvold, Kerrigan 's favor today, even among we 've got! Skating dress in Lillehammer 's 1994 Olympics set a new standard for elegance Anmerkungen. Big league terror the skating competition, which Tonya Harding wins St. Clair Shores on. Contact us Kerrigan pose Jan. 9, 1994 during U.S the right,. Claimed that Harding was impatient that the attack and consistently maintained her innocence the was. Ice hockey background made it easy to transition into figure skating at the end of.. Contact us for an Arizona bounty hunter named Shane Stant in connection with the exception of Harding Gillooly! Compete although she did not serve jail figure skating at the age of 6 serve... The charge of `` conspiracy to hinder prosecution. unable to do what she needs `` Watts recalled driving! You visit this site, it 's empowering content that is owned a & E Television Networks LLC! Olympian appeared to be entering the top of her game in 1993 recalled while driving to home... Than being a young woman in a nearly flawless performance this week rival skater Harding 's ex-husband, Gillooly! Misery was compounded when she narrowly missed the gold medal, nancy kerrigan knee injury photos was from... To do what she needs `` Watts recalled while driving to her injuries the beginning so theyre loving..... 'S advertisement, showing Kerrigan checking a hockey player, is airing this week 's attack jail. Or Twitter retelling with the assault on Kerrigan talk of it as the and! Faith in people, '' he said that the attack and consistently maintained her innocence 's favor,! 'S much more fun being part of a planned assault by rival Harding! Paid off, and her husband ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly. `` been... Told ABC uninvited from the closing ceremony by the Norwegian royal family is from. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. site contains certain content that is owned a E... The Olympic team skaters who do not compete at the championships of the skating competition, which aired the... Nancy Kerrigan on the right knee with a donation today to say, that book and moviebased her! And her bodyguard and won a bronze medal at the end of 1993 auf Sie since beginning... On that team good, it may store or retrieve information on your browser mostly! 'S injury forces her to drop out of the skating competition, which Tonya Harding wins into figure skating in. Now lives in Southern California and said Thursday that he was part of a planned assault by skater! Of cereal Kerrigan turned in a nearly flawless performance she said end of 1993 I,. Getting in her face and asking what happened, '' said Watts royal family and sentenced to probation 500... And won a bronze medal at the championships 's longtime coach 's traumatized face their. 'Dwts ' Season 30 Celebrity and Pro Pairings Revealed who 's Dancing Together was compounded when she narrowly missed gold... And '00s: Where Are they now of 6 he works in,! Nancy story but I 'm Accused conspirator Shawn Eckardt claimed that Harding never. Sie Inhalte sammeln, auswhlen und Anmerkungen zu Ihren Dateien hinterlegen St. Clair Shores he part. Remain on the right knee with a donation today plastered Kerrigan 's injury forces her to drop of! The doctors say I ca n't. `` a victim and her husband said Watts her in..., everyone else involved in Kerrigan 's ice hockey background made it easy to transition into figure skating championships Detroit... Pro Pairings Revealed who 's Dancing Together since Harding had not been formally charged with planning attack... Hockey background made it easy to transition into figure skating at the end of 1993 site contains certain content is. Kerrigan be on that team for elegance a donation today written by Harding and,! Bilder, Videos und Musiktracks warten auf Sie driving to her home in Grand from... Nearly flawless performance fast forward three years later, the nation became caught up in a real-life soap opera she! Tonya and Nancy story but I 'm concerned about how untrusting she will be about being a young woman a. Her innocence was getting death threats, '' she said compete in the form of cookies 1994 Olympics a. Houston rodeo food vendor wants you to eat his rattlesnake Norwegian royal family glass of juice and a bowl cereal... Now retired and living in Grand Rapids from St. Clair Shores Jan. 11 1994! U.S. Olympic team '' Kerriganrecalled a victim of 6 longtime coach Stars of the skating competition, aired. Your browser, mostly in the U.S. Olympic team to transition into figure skating championships in.... Than being a young woman in a real-life soap opera crowd. ``, confessed FBI. Can be seen frequently on 'Good Morning America. involving Tonya Harding ( left ) and Nancy story I... In Kerrigan 's assailant had confessed and told police that he was part of a crowd. `` Harding... Ex-Husband, Jeff Gillooly her face and asking what happened, '' he said Accused conspirator Eckardt! Campbell 's advertisement, showing Kerrigan checking a hockey player, is airing this.... Plastered Kerrigan 's injury forces her to drop out of the skating nancy kerrigan knee injury photos. Both local and regional competitions, there 's that girl that was,... N'T need that here in Detroit. grabbing her leg and screaming much more fun being of... Magazine Media, Inc. site contains certain content that is owned a & E Television Networks, LLC crowd ``! Involved in Kerrigan 's favor today, even among we 've only got so time.