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Lillehammer Olympics - Figure Skating
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Lillehammer Olympics - Figure Skating
Figure Skating - 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics - Womens Singles
The USAs Nancy Kerrigan, who won the silver medal, during the free skating phase of the competition at the Olympic Amphitheatre, Hamar, Norway.
25/02/1994
The controversy surrounding Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding in the lead up to the 1994 Games lead to a media frenzy at Lillehammer that was perhaps the greatest in Olympic history.
The pair had finished second and fourth respectively at the 1992 Games, and were rivals for the gold medal. In the lead up to the US Nationals, in which the top two placed skaters qualified for the Olympics, Hardings then husband arranged a hit on Kerrigan with the aim of preventing her competing at the Games, and she was attacked on her legs with a metal baton after a training sessions shortly before the competition. Harding won the US Nationals, but the US figure skating authorities held the other spot open for Kerrigan if she could recover, which she did.
The plot was exposed before the Olympics, and while it was clear that Harding knew of it, and had approved it, the United States Olympic Committee were unable to throw her off the team as she threatened a lawsuit if they did so. Consequently the pair skated against each other at Lillehammer, with saturated news coverage in the build-up. The broadcast of the womens singles competition was one of the most watched programmes in US television history
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a defining moment in the history of figure skating at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics. The image showcases Nancy Kerrigan, representing the USA, gracefully performing during the free skating phase of the competition at the Olympic Amphitheatre in Hamar, Norway. However, this photograph holds even greater significance due to the controversy that surrounded Kerrigan and her rival Tonya Harding leading up to these Games. Both skaters had previously competed in the 1992 Olympics and finished second and fourth respectively. As fierce competitors vying for gold, tensions escalated when Harding's ex-husband orchestrated an attack on Kerrigan with a metal baton before their national championships. Despite being injured, Kerrigan remarkably recovered and secured her place on Team USA alongside Harding. The scandalous plot was exposed prior to Lillehammer but legal complications prevented Harding from being removed from the team. Thus, both skaters found themselves competing against each other amidst intense media frenzy. The immense public interest surrounding this event made it one of US television history's most-watched programs. This iconic photograph not only captures Kerrigan's exceptional talent but also serves as a reminder of how sport can be marred by controversy and personal vendettas. It stands as a testament to resilience and determination while highlighting an unforgettable chapter in Olympic history.
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