Today in History—January 6: A Rivalry on Ice

January 6, 1994: “The Whack Heard 'Round the World”

“Why? Why? It hurts so much. Why me?”

That was the anguished cry from Nancy Kerrigan on this day in 1994, after she was clubbed by a masked man following a practice session for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

The incident sparked a media frenzy that only intensified after it was revealed that the attack had been staged by men close to fellow skater Tonya Harding. Known as “The Whack Heard ’Round the World,” it became one of the most infamous scandals in sports history and forever linked the two skaters.

Kerrigan and Harding were fierce rivals who couldn’t have been more different. Kerrigan, often described as an “ice princess,” was praised for her artistry and grace. Harding was “from the wrong side of the figure skating tracks” (according to her official Olympic bio), known for her powerful, athletic style. The clubbing meant Kerrigan had to drop out of the competition. Harding went on to place first, securing a spot on the U.S. team competing at the Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.

Her celebration, however, didn’t last long. The FBI soon uncovered a bumbling crew of coconspirators that included Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, who confessed to planning the attack. Also involved were Shawn Eckardt, Harding’s bodyguard, and Shane Stant, the attacker. Though Harding denied involvement, she admitted to failing to report information that she had learned about the attack. Nevertheless, she was allowed to compete at the Olympics in February—as was a recovered Kerrigan.

Fun Fact

Figure skating is the oldest Olympic winter sport. It debuted at the 1908 London Summer Games.

The drama—and media circus—continued in Lillehammer. During the free-skate portion, Harding was reduced to tears because of a problem with a skate lace. The judges made the unusual decision to let her restart, but she ultimately finished eighth. Kerrigan won the silver medal. But the biggest winner was figure skating, which experienced a surge in popularity.

In the ensuing years, Kerrigan and Harding tried, with limited success, to distance themselves from the scandal. Harding pleaded guilty to hindering the prosecution and was banned from skating. She experienced some redemption with the film I, Tonya (2017), which offered a nuanced take on her life. Kerrigan kept skating, and in 2004 she was inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame. “What’s nice about being inducted…is that I’m being recognized for the skating as opposed to being a victim.”