Winter Olympics figure skater ‘attacked’ by hitman hired by rival’s ex-husband

dailystar.co.uk:

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. Do you think Tonya Harding deserved a lifetime ban?

Let us know in the comments section. 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:.