Topic > The Biggest Sports Scandals in America

January 6, 1994 will always be known as the day one of the biggest sports scandals in American history took place. Olympians Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan were preparing for their second games together when Kerrigan was attacked. To this day, Harding maintains that he is innocent. The scandal happened more than 20 years ago and recently there is a new reason to revisit the case. Numerous documentaries have been created about the incident in the past, and now Margot Robbie has starred in the new Hollywood film, I, Tonya, which hit theaters on December 8. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In an age where some women choose to destroy each other despite their own careers and friendships, the film certainly revealed an interesting point of view.Harding was the first American woman to land a triple axel and she done at the 1991 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. She ultimately earned a perfect score and placed first while Kerrigan received bronze. The two had clashed at the 1992 French Olympics, where Kerrigan won bronze and Harding finished fourth. Their relationship extended beyond healthy competition. It was even to the point that it was much more than the fact that they were both vying for first place. Both women were making big names and big money for themselves, but Kerrigan was represented more. He had many sponsorships, including those with Campbell's, Seiko, Revlon and Reebok. His overall personality seemed to win over audiences more, even though Harding had a slight edge in skating. Harding and Kerrigan were training for the U.S. Women's Championships in Detroit on January 6, 1994. The championship was scheduled to take place the next day and would decide who qualifies to advance to the 1994 Olympic Winter Games in Norway. That night, before the qualifying skate, Kerrigan was coming off the ice after practice when she was hit in the right knee with a stick. The attacker was thought to be a man hired by Harding's ex-husband. In the moments before and after the attack, caught on tape, Kerrigan can be seen on the ground crying and screaming. Between sobs, she described the object she had been hit with as a hard black stick. Kerrigan was hit in the right kneecap, which was the leg that landed on the ice. The doctor who examined Kerrigan after the attack said the attacker was clearly trying to debilitate her. Fortunately, there was no fracture, but he suffered a bruise, a limp and severe swelling. This jeopardized her crucial test and everyone was worried whether she would be able to skate the next day. The doctor said it wouldn't hurt her to skate, medically speaking. But the pain proved too much and Harding took first place the next day. The United States Olympic Committee wanted to disqualify Harding from competing, but when she returned with a $25 million lawsuit, they allowed her to pursue the title. . Kerrigan took home the silver medal. Harding, on the other hand, almost missed her chance when one of her laces snapped before it was her turn. She cried and the judges let her skate later but she finished eighth. Harding still says he didn't know about the attack before it happened. However, she admitted finding out shortly after the execution, and in March 1994 pleaded guilty to obstructing the investigation. She was sentenced to probation, community service and a fine. Once the investigation is complete, in addition to suspending her from competing in sponsored events, US Figure..