I remember the Nancy Kerrigan-Tonya Harding scandal, ahead of the 1994 Winter Olympics. While a very graceful, athletic sport turned into a criminal investigation and media circus, I see how sad and unfortunate it all was. People in general seem prone to simplify complex issues and polarize controversial incidents: So Kerrigan was the angelic victim, and Harding the feisty villain. But interestingly not many saw another stark difference between the two: that of social class. That is, behind the scenes, it was have vs have not, a contest that no doubt gets played out in America on a daily basis. There is no diminishing Harding's involvement, especially in the aftermath of the attack, but I thought she competed with great determination without the sort of financing, facility and focus that Kerrigan had.
{I am a sports fanatic} We Blackhawks fans had to wait 39 years, before our guys could hoist Lord Stanley high above the ice (2010). I was living in Dubai, and it was an Australian friend who said, "Hey Ronnie, congratulations on your Stanley Cup!" "It was a boyhood thrill," I smiled at Lance. ~Ron Villejo | For the Love of Hockey (November 12th 2012)
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
ESPN 30 for 30: Price of Gold
I remember the Nancy Kerrigan-Tonya Harding scandal, ahead of the 1994 Winter Olympics. While a very graceful, athletic sport turned into a criminal investigation and media circus, I see how sad and unfortunate it all was. People in general seem prone to simplify complex issues and polarize controversial incidents: So Kerrigan was the angelic victim, and Harding the feisty villain. But interestingly not many saw another stark difference between the two: that of social class. That is, behind the scenes, it was have vs have not, a contest that no doubt gets played out in America on a daily basis. There is no diminishing Harding's involvement, especially in the aftermath of the attack, but I thought she competed with great determination without the sort of financing, facility and focus that Kerrigan had.
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