The Incident That Changed Tonya Harding's Life

It’s a story that continues to captivate people to this day. Back in 1994, Tonya Harding, once a rising star in the world of figure skating, found herself at the center of a scandal that would rock the sports world. Her ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, and his friend Shawn Eckhardt orchestrated a plan to injure Nancy Kerrigan, hoping to clear the path for Tonya to claim Olympic glory. Instead, the plot backfired spectacularly. Not only did Tonya fail to reach the podium, finishing in eighth place, but she also faced severe consequences from the US Figure Skating Association. The association banned her for life, accusing her of having foreknowledge of the attack. This decision effectively ended her skating career and sent her into relative obscurity—until her comeback in the biopic "I, Tonya" and her appearance on "Dancing with the Stars."

January 6, 1994: The Day Everything Changed

The infamous attack on Nancy Kerrigan unfolded on January 6, 1994, during the US Figure Skating Championships in Detroit, Michigan. After completing a practice session, Nancy was struck above the knee with a baton by a hitman hired by Jeff Gillooly and Shawn Eckhardt. Fortunately, Nancy's injury was not severe—just a bruise—and she fully recovered in time for the Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. Meanwhile, Tonya found herself under intense scrutiny as the scandal unfolded. Despite competing alongside Nancy in those same Olympic games, Tonya placed eighth while Nancy took home the silver medal. The shadow of suspicion loomed large over Tonya's performance and legacy.

nancy kerrigan tonya harding getty images

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Following an extensive investigation and a series of plea deals, those involved in the attack—Jeff Gillooly, Shawn Eckhardt, the hitman, and the getaway driver—all served time in prison. However, Tonya avoided a potential prison sentence by pleading guilty to a lesser charge of conspiracy to hinder the prosecution. Months later, though, the US Figure Skating Association delivered its own punishment: a lifetime ban from competitive skating and the revocation of her 1994 national championship title. According to William Hybl, chairman of the hearing panel, "By a preponderance of the evidence, the five members of the panel concluded that she had prior knowledge and was involved prior to the incident." The panel's decision was clear: Tonya's actions violated the principles of sportsmanship and fair play.

A Statement of Disgrace

The panel’s official statement was unequivocal: "Tonya Harding's conduct intentionally undermines the concept of sportsmanship and fair play embodied in the USFSA bylaws and rules and amateur sportsmanship in general. Her actions related to the assault on Nancy Kerrigan demonstrate a clear disregard for fairness, good sportsmanship, and ethical behavior." This decision cemented Tonya's place in sports history not as a champion, but as a symbol of controversy.

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Feels like yesterday we took this picture, time flies when you’re having the TIME OF YOUR LIFE. Today was such a special day. Really overcoming some big hurdles in my life. I can’t wait to get out there and just dance 💃 And thank you @sashafarber1 for being such a good friend and a great partner #TeamAxellent @dancingabc #dwts
A post shared by Tonya Harding (@therealtonyaharding) on Apr 20, 2018 at 7:59pm PDT

It wasn’t until an ABC News interview this January that Tonya finally admitted to at least some prior knowledge of Jeff and Shawn's plan. She revealed that she had overheard them discussing how "somebody should be taken out." While this admission came years after the fact, it added another layer to the complex story of Tonya Harding.

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From Skating Ban to Dancing Stardom

Though banned from skating, Tonya has found new opportunities to shine. At 47 years old, she's competing on "Dancing with the Stars" Season 26, proving that her story doesn't end with scandal. In fact, she even tied with fellow figure skater Mirai Nagasu for the second-best score in the first week of the competition. Tonya's journey shows that even after facing some of the toughest challenges, it's possible to rise again and chase new dreams.