One of the most infamous incidents in figure skating history took place at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. The attack on American figure skater Nancy Kerrigan sent shockwaves through the sports world and captivated audiences around the globe. But who was behind the attack?

The skater allegedly responsible for orchestrating the attack on Nancy Kerrigan was her rival, Tonya Harding. Harding's ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, and his friend, Shawn Eckhardt, hired a hitman to break Kerrigan's leg in an attempt to eliminate her as a competitor. Kerrigan was ultimately only bruised, but the attack had lasting consequences for Harding.

Harding denied any involvement in the attack at first, but later pleaded guilty to hindering the prosecution of the assailants. She was subsequently banned for life from the U.S. Figure Skating Association and stripped of her 1994 U.S. Championships title. The scandal tarnished Harding's reputation and effectively ended her skating career.

The rivalry between Kerrigan and Harding had been building for some time leading up to the attack. Both skaters were competing for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, and tensions were high. Kerrigan was known for her grace and elegance on the ice, while Harding was a powerful and athletic skater. The contrast in their styles and personalities only fueled the rivalry between them.

Despite the scandal, Nancy Kerrigan went on to win a silver medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics, while Tonya Harding finished in eighth place. The attack on Kerrigan remains a dark chapter in figure skating history and a cautionary tale about the dangers of intense competition.

For more information on the infamous attack on Nancy Kerrigan at the 1994 Olympics, you can visit Biography.com or History.com.

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