Tonya vs. everyone: it was even tougher than in the movie.

Tonya vs. everyone: it was even tougher than in the movie.

Unfictionalized events that killed the sports career of an American figure skater.

Tonya Harding was one of the most famous figure skaters in America. She was the first person who was able to successfully perform a triple axel in a short program, as well as perform two triple axels in one competition. She was able to win the 1991 U.S. Championships. But what made Tonya most famous was the high-profile incident with Nancy Kerrigan, her rival on the ice. What really happened?

Harding from childhood began to show attention to figure skating. Even at a young age Toni was able to do things that other girls could not do. Every coach noted in her huge potential and desire to work. This was also noticed by her parents, who wanted to use the girl as a source of enrichment. Lavona Golden, mother skater, never parted with cigarettes and alcohol, which is clearly shown in the movie “Tonya against all”, directed by Craig Gillespie.

Rivals on the brink

Tonya and Nancy were never sworn enemies. They were complete opposites and had no hatred for each other. However, the skaters were serious rivals and Harding decided to play dirty. She conspired with her husband Jeff Gillooly to take Kerrigan out of the competition. They initially wanted to kill the rival, but immediately dismissed the idea as it would be too risky. Jeff enlisted the support of his friend Shane Stant to injure Nancy. At practice before the competition, Nancy stepped off the ice to rest and was soon hit in the leg with a telescoping baton by Shane. The skater lay on the floor, crying and howling: “Why me?! Why?!”.

Watch the report on IntersportChicago.

Stant was unable to break her leg, but inflicted a severe bruise that prevented Nancy from competing in the 1994 U.S. Championships. Tonya Harding took first place.

Tonya could have been out of the Olympics

However, the athlete’s joy was short-lived: the police quickly found Stant, and the latter ratted out Jeff and Tonya. At first she denied everything, and then admitted that she had heard about their plan, but did nothing. A huge scandal broke out, Harding was about to be suspended from the Olympics, but Nike founder Philip Knight threatened the Olympic Committee with a lawsuit. Afraid of the court, they let the figure skater go to the Games. This fact is also not mentioned in the movie.

Confrontation on the ice: the final fight and investigation

At the 1994 Olympics, Tonya placed eighth when Nancy, after a quick recovery, managed to take second place, losing to Ukrainian Oksana Baiul. After the Olympics, the U.S. Figure Skating Association conducted its own investigation into Tonya and was able to prove her involvement in Nancy’s injury. The athlete was sentenced to three years probation, 500 hours of community service, a lifetime disqualification and 160 thousand dollars in fines.

Oscar storyline

In 2017, the Toronto Film Festival screened the movie “Tonya vs. Everyone” about the former champion’s career. Tonya Harding was played by Margot Robbie and the figure skater’s mother was played by Allison Janney, who won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for her supporting role.

Watch the trailer on iVideo’s official YouTube channel.