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)
Showing posts with label Skating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Skating. Show all posts
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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