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Part 1.
This story had it all. Intrigue, a hired goon, an innocent party, a jealous competitor. I'm talking about the attack on Nancy Kerrigan two days before the Olympic trials. One of Kerrigan's chief rivals for a place on the U.S. Figure Skating Team was Tonya Harding. In mid-December 1993, Harding's ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, approached Shawn Eckardt about somehow eliminating Kerrigan from the competition. Eckardt set up a meeting with Derrick Smith and Shane Stant, who agreed to injure Kerrigan for a fee.
On December 28, Stant went to Massachusetts, where Kerrigan was practicing. However, he couldn't carry out the attack so he followed her to Detroit, where Smith met him. After hitting Kerrigan, Stant fled the ice rink in Smith's getaway car. With Kerrigan unable to skate, Harding won the championship and a place at the 1994 Olympics.
On January 11, Derrick Smith confessed to FBI agents. Three days later, Stant surrendered and also confessed. Harding was questioned on January 18, but denied her involvement. She claimed that she would cut off any connection with Gillooly if he was responsible. The next day, Gillooly was charged with conspiracy to assault Kerrigan. Shortly after, he agreed to a deal in which he implicated Harding.

Part 2.
Harding then came forward, changing her story and admitting that she had learned of Gillooly's role in the attack after the championships but did not inform authorities. Meanwhile, U.S. Olympic officials named Kerrigan and Harding to the team that would compete in Lillehammer, Norway. When the United States Olympic Committee began considering removing Harding from the team, she filed a lawsuit that successfully stopped this action.

At the Olympics, the competition between Harding and Kerrigan set ratings records. Harding's performance was a drama in itself. She broke down crying after a lace on her skates broke. Even after being allowed a restart, Harding wasn't able to pull herself together and finished eighth. Kerrigan took home the silver medal, and many thought she deserved the gold.

Back in the U.S., Harding pleaded guilty to conspiracy to hinder the prosecution of Kerrigan's attackers. She was fined $100,000 and sentenced to probation and 500 hours of community service. Other than Gillooly's testimony, there was never any further evidence of Harding's knowledge of the plans before the attack. But Gillooly got revenge on Tonya by sinking to new tabloid depths, selling graphic photos of the couple having sex on their honeymoon.

One athlete knocked off her pedestal.

Part 3.

After winning the Silver Medal Nancy became America's newest darling and sponsor Disney had her ride in the Disney Parade with Mickey Mouse. After America heard her comments during the parade, she was knocked off of her pedestal, also.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 07:09 PM ET  08.25 by Just another DJ

Hello, LCB.

Hello. :D

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 07:23 PM ET  08.25 by Just another DJ

Can I have a milkshake, please?

What do you think this is, Dairy Queen?

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 07:06 PM ET  08.25 by Lady's Coach Belicat

Part 1.This story had it all. Intrigue, a hired goon, an innocent party, a jealous competitor. I'm talking about the attack on Nancy Kerrigan two days before the Olympic trials. One of Kerrigan's chief rivals for a place on the U.S. Figure Skating Team was Tonya Harding. In mid-December 1993, Harding's ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, approached Shawn Eckardt about somehow eliminating Kerrigan from the competition. Eckardt set up a meeting with Derrick Smith and Shane Stant, who agreed to injure Kerrigan for a fee.On December 28, Stant went to Massachusetts, where Kerrigan was practicing. However, he couldn't carry out the attack so he followed her to Detroit, where Smith met him. After hitting Kerrigan, Stant fled the ice rink in Smith's getaway car. With Kerrigan unable to skate, Harding won the championship and a place at the 1994 Olympics.On January 11, Derrick Smith confessed to FBI agents. Three days later, Stant surrendered and also confessed. Harding was questioned on January 18, but denied her involvement. She claimed that she would cut off any connection with Gillooly if he was responsible. The next day, Gillooly was charged with conspiracy to assault Kerrigan. Shortly after, he agreed to a deal in which he implicated Harding.

Excellent choice, but did you worship Tonya Harding, and thus feel betrayed by her downfall? That was sort of the angle I was going with. Athlete worshiping.........then getting PO'd or even emotionally crushed when they screw up.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 07:42 PM ET  08.25 by TnerB57

Pretty sure explanation was unnecessary.

Maybe if I'd actually watched the video?????

I guess nobody around the confines of FN has been hero worshiping a particular sports figure. Either that, or they have a fear of "Death"......lol

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 07:42 PM ET  08.25 by Wisconsin Death Trip

Excellent choice, but did you worship Tonya Harding, and thus feel betrayed by her downfall? That was sort of the angle I was going with. Athlete worshiping.........then getting PO'd or even emotionally crushed when they screw up.

Personally? Heck no but I thought it was ironic that two athletes in the same sport competing against each other crashed and burned in the end.

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 07:46 PM ET  08.25 by Wisconsin Death Trip

I guess nobody around the confines of FN has been hero worshiping a particular sports figure. Either that, or they have a fear of "Death"......lol

I might have when I was a kid but nowadays I have the memory of a dead elephant.

I wish there was a way to gut my Message Board entries like the blogs.....just delete the crap that's out dated. That way someone doesn't RESURRECT a dead thread. Huh....made a funny...

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 07:45 PM ET  08.25 by TnerB57

Don't.

Won't. ;)