Winter Olympics figure skater ‘attacked’ by hitman hired by rival’s ex-husband
Just over 26 years ago, figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was attacked by a hitman in one of the biggest scandals in sporting history.
On 6 January 1994, hitman Shane Stant used a 21-inch collapsible baton to strike Kerrigan’s right leg, leaving her unable to compete at the National Championships.
The attack was the culmination of a brewing rivalry between Tonya Harding and Kerrigan, with Harding frustrated that her adversary was standing in her way of making the American Olympic team.
Harding’s desperation to overcome Kerrigan saw ex-husband Jeff Gillooly and bodyguard Shawn Eckhardt hire Stant and his uncle Derrick Smith to set up the attack.
Their long-term rivalry came to a head at the National Championships in Detroit back in January 1994.
Stant clubbed Kerrigan’s right knee after a practice session 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 ruled her out of the championships the following night.
Two days later, 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.
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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.
It was confirmed by a handwriting expert that Harding did indeed write the notes.
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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.
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.
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