The 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehamer, Norway, is to be an exciting competition filled
with spirit and camaraderie.  Well, it will be for most of the athletes, anyway.  The Tonya Harding
and Nancy Kerrigan saga has left sports fans confused and disillusioned.  Aren't those lovely,
graceful figure skaters supposed to be sweet and full of encouragement for each other?  But,
camaraderie does not exist for these two "ice queens".  The attack on Kerrigan was an
abomination, a depressing reminder that competition can get ugly.  There has been some debate
whether Tonya Harding should be allowed to compete in the Olympics, since she may have been
linked to the attack.  The answer is simple.  We must follow the laws of this country and one
clearly states that the accused is innocent until proven guilty.
     It is true that Tonya Harding may not be the most personable woman to set foot on the
ice, but that is no reason to bar her from the Olympics.  The media may not approve of her
lifestyle or whom she chooses to associate with, but they've taken her "wicked witch" image a bit
too far.  Some may argue that she is not a good choice to represent us in the Olympics, and that
they don't like her image.  But, her personality has nothing to do with their decision.  The point is
to bring the best athletes from around the world together so they can compete.  Tonya qualified to
be part of the U.S. team and since no charges have been formally brought up against her, it is her
choice whether she wants to go to Norway or not.
     Because Harding had the odds against her, being poor and from a dysfunctional family,
most people are inclined to believe that the stress caused her erratic behavior.  It is believed that
she and her punk husband arranged for Kerrigan to be eliminated from the running.  We shouldn't
condemn Tonya for choosing to marry an undesirable man who has confessed to be a part of the
attack on Nancy.  Tonya is, by no means, an angel and perhaps is the alleged "bitch" everyone
claims her to be, but again, until further evidence is established, she is to be found innocent until
proven guilty.
     Perhaps the Olympics Committee and the television stations conspired to hold back proof
to confirm Harding's involvement in the beating in order to elevate the ratings and keep media
attention on them.  If the rumor is true, then it is the fault of the system and shows what money
can do to make people forget about any values they might have.  I am neither for or against
Tonya, and I don't know if she conspired with Gilooly or not.  But, because the legal system
chose not to move full speed ahead, it is her right to perform in Lillehamer.
     Could it be that Tonya Harding is just getting a "bum rap"?  The media bombards us with
stories of her wickedness and we find it extremely difficult to like or even pity her.  But, her
image has no relevance when it comes to competing in the Olympics.  She has trained all her life
and if we give her the benefit of the doubt, she's due this chance to prove herself.
     I don't think Tonya Harding will let bad publicity, Nancy Kerrigan or anything get in her
way.  As she said to Time, "I've been skating 20 years for a gold medal, and I'm not going to give
up until I get one."(Duffy 64)  As a matter of fact, Harding filed a $25 million lawsuit against the
committee when they said she failed to live up to the Olympic code of conduct and participated in
the crime or failed to report her knowledge of it.  But Harding will be going to the Olympics
whether we like it or not, and surprisingly enough, many Americans support her.
     This whole dismal scandal gives us a sense of the competitive, cut throat nature of figure
skating.  Forget the glitter and glamour, we've seen a disheartening side of the sport that we'd all
like to forget.  Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan will be in Lillehamer together and the world
anticipates this saga's conclusion.  Harding should "thank her lucky stars" that the legal system
worked to her advantage this time.  The simple law, innocent until proven guilty, could mean her
chance for the gold.
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                               Work Cited


Duffy,  Martha. "Tonya Harding." Time 14 February 1994: 63-65.