Figure skating, a sport celebrated for its grace and artistry, has also been touched by tragedy throughout its history. These incidents have left an indelible mark on the skating community, highlighting the fragility of life and the enduring spirit of those affected.
Nancy Kerrigan
The 1961 Sabena Airlines Flight 548 Crash
One of the most devastating events in figure skating history occurred on February 15, 1961, when Sabena Airline Flight 548 crashed near the Zaventem Airport in Brussels, Belgium.
Colorado Springs Remembers the 1961 US World Figure Skating Team Fifty Years Later
Thirty-four athletes, coaches, officials, and family members had eagerly boarded their flight in New York City on Feb. 14 to participate in the World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. The team was on its way to the World Championships in Czechoslovakia.
The US World Figure Skating Team died in a horrifying plane crash in Brussels, Belgium. An official cause of the crash has never been determined, but it is believed to be due to mechanical failure.
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Victims of the crash
Among those who perished were some of the best skaters in America. “These are the best. These are the best skaters in America."
Even as a child Bushman-also a competitive skater-had a sense that the 1961 team had been special and needed to be remembered. Ten years after the tragedy, Bushman was honored to win the Rhode Lee Michelson Memorial Trophy, named after one of the victims who trained at Iceland. Skating had been her life, and she knew it had been theirs.
In an effort to preserve their memory, Bushman decided to learn the stories of the skaters and supporters on Flight 548, interviewing hundreds of people, and searching dozens of libraries across the country. By using her contacts in the skating world. It describes the months leading to the championship, the joy of the athletes selected for the world team, and a look at the competition that would never happen.
She also details the aftermath, including the resilience of a sports community that grieved but also established a fund as a living memorial to the team. Millions of dollars have supported skaters at many levels, including Olympic champions.
“I think David McCullough suggested history does not stay alive unless it’s looked after,” she says. “I hope that by writing about this team, I have kept them alive in some way. I’ve been living with these people for nearly a decade."
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Several skaters had practiced at the Iceland rink in Paramount, Calif., where Bushman also later skated. Five of the skaters had practiced at the Iceland rink in Paramount, Calif., where Bushman also later skated.
“All the skaters were wonderful role models,” she says, “and Dudley Richards, who was the team captain, was a shining example. He had a great work ethic and pushed others to do their best. He met adversity with courage and resolve and remained humble through a lifetime of achievements. More than anything else, his sterling character, engaging personality, and compassion for others made everyone want to be in his company.
Two of the 73 people killed in the plane accident, siblings Bill and Laurie Hickox, were slated to compete together in the World Championships.
Lake Placid has a huge figure skating history. “They all skated here. They trained here. They competed here.
On Feb. 15, 1961, the U.S. World Figure Skating Team died in a horrifying plane crash in Brussels, Belgium. Donovan’s tour stopped at a plaque on the wall of the Olympic Center.
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“I do these tours, and I have people that are old enough to have been aware. Most of them have never heard of it.
“Second from the top on the right side, Maribel Owen. In 1932, she competed here in the Olympics as Maribel Vinson.
The Attack on Nancy Kerrigan
Another dark chapter in figure skating history is the attack on Nancy Kerrigan in 1994. On January 6, 1994, Nancy Kerrigan was struck on the lower right thigh with a baton by assailant Shane Stant as she walked down a corridor in Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan, United States.
Kerrigan had been practicing skating on an ice rink in the arena shortly beforehand. The attack took place just days before the tournament, and rendered Kerrigan unable to take part.
The attack was planned by Jeff Gillooly, the ex-husband of fellow American figure skater Tonya Harding, and his co-conspirator Shawn Eckardt. Jeff Gillooly was Tonya Harding's ex-husband. They hired Stant and his uncle Derrick Smith to carry out the attack.
Gillooly and Eckardt both claimed that Harding was involved in the attack and had knowledge of it beforehand. Harding initially denied all knowledge of the attack, but soon accepted a plea agreement admitting to helping cover up the attack after the fact.
The attack was intended to prevent Kerrigan from taking part in the ongoing 1994 United States Figure Skating Championships and the forthcoming Winter Olympics, thus increasing the prospects of Harding in both figure skating events. Kerrigan could not compete in the US Championship but recovered in time to compete in the Winter Olympics.
Shawn Eckardt, a friend of Gillooly's who was also Harding's bodyguard before the attack, had originally been hired by the figure skater after she received an anonymous death threat. Shane Stant later testified that Harding was part of staging the death threat against herself.
Derrick Smith, an associate of Eckardt, was paid $6,500 to carry out the attack; Eckardt had received the money from Gillooly. Shane Stant, Smith's nephew, initially planned to carry out the attack by himself and had travelled to Kerrigan's home rink in Cape Cod in late December 1993, but was unable to locate her.
Stant then followed Kerrigan to the Nationals in Detroit in early January 1994. Gillooly opposed carrying out an attack in Detroit, feeling it too likely they would be caught, and instructed Eckardt to wire Stant funds to return home without carrying out the attack.
Stant approached Kerrigan from behind, extended a telescopic baton, struck her lower right thigh and walked away. He then escaped from the arena by smashing through a locked glass door. Smith was waiting in a car outside and acted as a getaway driver.
The camera crew began recording again shortly after the attack and recorded Kerrigan sitting on the floor crying surrounded by arena staff. Here, Kerrigan exclaimed the now-famous line, "Why? Why? Why?" This footage was later broadcast around the world in news programs.
Harding met Jeff Gillooly in 1986 when she was skating at the Clackamas Town Center; she was 15, he was 17. They later exchanged phone numbers and went out to the movies, chaperoned by her father.
In 1988, the couple moved into a home together, and Harding claimed she began experiencing physical abuse from Gillooly. They married on March 18, 1990.
Harding's mother, LaVona, said she opposed the marriage: "I knew Jeff had a violent streak [...] he tried to break down the door because he thought [Tonya] had gone out with another boy."
On June 17, 1991, Harding filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Harding later claimed she was the victim of acquaintance rape sometime during her separation from Gillooly in 1991, "by a friend of mine, who I knew for eight years." In summer 1991, she became engaged to mechanical engineer Mike Pliska. He ended their engagement after he saw Harding disrespecting people and giving her phone number to another man.
In autumn 1991, Harding dated a Canadian banker. In October, she decided to reconcile with Gillooly and withdraw the divorce, saying they were still in love and seeking counseling: "I know he's changed. I see it in his eyes, and I believe in him... I don't want to lose him.
On March 10, 1992, Harding had a roadside physical altercation with a female motorist in Portland, Oregon. The first deputy on the scene observed Harding holding a baseball bat after breaking the motorist's eyeglasses. In both March and July 1993, police came to Harding and Gillooly's shared apartment after reported arguments.
On August 28, 1993, Harding and Gillooly were granted a divorce. The neighbours reported seeing Gillooly pick Harding up and place her in a truck, and feared Harding had been shot. A police officer stopped the truck and confiscated a found shotgun and a 9mm Beretta pistol that had recently been discharged. The officer then interviewed Harding and Gillooly separately about what had happened, but their stories did not match.
Gillooly first stated that the gun had fired when he was carrying it. Harding then admitted that she had fired the gun and was worried about the publicity.
During Tonya Harding's FBI testimony on January 18, 1994, she requested and received some ice to treat her swollen ankle. When asked about her finances, Harding said she had one bank account which was currently $109 overdrawn.
She was also asked about her relationship with Gillooly and replied she still considered him her husband. When asked whether Gillooly had ever threatened her, Harding said he had not. FBI agent James Russell then asked if she was at Shawn Eckardt's house at any time on January 11, Harding replied that she "definitely" had not been.
Russell then advised her that while concealing criminal knowledge did not violate Oregon law, lying to the FBI would violate federal law. Harding said she understood that. Russell then told her that he knew she had lied to him. Harding's lawyer, Robert Weaver, then stated he wished to speak privately with his client. When Harding returned, she testified that she and Gillooly went to Eckardt's home on December 28, 1993; he went inside, she drove away.
After Harding's plea deal on March 16, 1994, she has since made other claims about the assault scandal. In 2018, she said she had prior knowledge of Gillooly and Eckardt discussing "[taking] out" one of her competitors in late 1993. In Harding's 2008 authorized biography, The Tonya Tapes (written by Lynda D.
"I really didn't do anything wrong except ask questions to win a bet...It's just that this sounds bad...I think [the bet] was for a quarter or something like that.
Jeff Gillooly first testified about the attack plot on January 26, 1994. He said that in early December 1993, Harding phoned him after the 1993 NHK Trophy competition and was upset about her placement. He said he was also upset for her and later spoke about figure skating politics to his friend Shawn Eckardt.
According to Gillooly, Eckardt then wondered aloud what would happen if Nancy Kerrigan were to receive a threat. Gillooly said he liked that idea. According to him, Eckardt wanted to keep the idea of injuring Kerrigan a secret from Harding, but Gillooly explained that injuring a competitor might psychologically affect Harding's performance too.
Shortly after Eckardt had spoken on the phone with Derrick Smith, he visited Gillooly and Harding at their home and quoted $4,500 to execute the plot. Gillooly replied that it was too much and said he could pay $2,000. On December 25, Gillooly had an answering machine message from Smith asking for more details about the plan. He claimed that he then phoned Eckardt to cancel the deal.
Gillooly said Harding would be training at that time, but he agreed to meet them. to the meeting held at Eckardt's home office, knocking on the door with Stant letting him in. Eckardt introduced Gillooly to Derrick Smith, using only his first name, Stant was introduced as Smith's "friend."
Stant said it was "a pleasure" to meet Gillooly, then remained silent. Smith told Gillooly he could solve "problems," and Gillooly said he wanted Kerrigan out of the National Championships so Harding could win an Olympic gold medal. Once this was achieved, Harding would receive endorsements and he could offer $1,000 per week for her security. Gillooly said he could pay $6,500 for this plan and wanted to know what they could do.
Eckardt suggested cutting Kerrigan's Achilles tendon, using a beater car to run her off the road, or "just kill her," but those ideas were opposed. Gillooly said only her right leg needed to be disabled, her landing leg; he claimed to have previously verified this with Harding. They settled on injuring Kerrigan's right leg. Gillooly was told his money would be returned if the deed was not completed.
According to Gillooly, as he was driving himself and Harding home, she asked if the meeting went well. When he told her about their "money-back guarantee," Harding laughed out loud. Gillooly said he felt "pretty good" about the meeting and thought Smith was competent. He said the men would need another photo of Kerrigan and her "skating times." Gillooly suggested that Harding call the Tony Kent Arena because she knew ice skating terminology.
According to him, she did phone the arena asking for Kerrigan's "patch and freestyle times," and phoned again for the address. They also found two photos of Kerrigan from the World Team handbook and Olympian magazine. They drove to Eckardt's home that night with the photos, practice times, and $2,700 in cash. Gillooly said he paid Eckardt while Harding was in another room having coffee with Eckardt's mother.
Gillooly testified that by January 1994, he and Harding were upset that the plot had apparently failed. When Eckardt said it could still be done for more money, Gillooly asked "Do I have stupid written across my forehead?" Harding told him that Eckardt should return the money. According to Gillooly, Harding then approached both men and asked Eckardt if his previous back pains were better. She then angrily asked him why "this thing" (the plot) was not completed.
On January 22, 1994, Vera Marano was interviewed by the FBI. She said she worked as a freelance writer and had written some figure skating articles about Harding, regularly trading phone calls with her. Marano stated that Harding had phoned her about a "bet" regarding Nancy Kerrigan.
Shawn Eckardt first testified about parts of the attack plot on January 12, 1994. He had known Gillooly since they were in the first grade at school. On December 28, as the men were waiting for Gillooly to arrive at his office, Smith persuaded Eckardt to tape record the meeting to use as "leverage." Eckardt hid the tape recorder on his desk under a paper towel. After the meeting, Gillooly left, returning that night to pay Eckardt in cash. He later gave the money to Smith who then drove Stant to the Seattle airport so Stant could fly to Boston.