A New Tonya Harding Article

[Geesesk8]

"It's been 14 years since the attack on Nancy Kerrigan, but in many ways Tonya Harding hasn't moved on..."

Three-page article from the Chicago Tribune, 12/26/07.
"Her past is her lifeblood"

http://www.chicagotribune.com/chi-26tonyadec26,1,4806691.story?coll=chi_mezz&ctrack=3&cset=true

 

[show 42]

I haven't read the article, but I am guessing that when people don't let you forget your past mistakes, you tend to capitalize on it to earn a living.........how sad....42

 

[Pixie Cut]

I haven't read the article, but I am guessing that when people don't let you forget your past mistakes, you tend to capitalize on it to earn a living.........how sad....42

I think people would be more than happy to let Tonya forget her mistakes, but the fact that she keeps repeating them makes it impossible. The article is very sad, but doesn't paint the complete picture. As has been discussed on other boards, Tonya has been given second, third and fourth chances, only to blow them every time. She's living the life she's created and perpetuated.

 

[Linny]

No, she wasn't

Second, third and fourth chances? To the best of my knowledge, Tanya was never allowed to do what she wanted to do - skate. USFSA banned her from skating for life and has never lifted the sentence. She states in the article that she'd have loved to be a teacher - yet she has never, to the best of my knowledge, been given the chance.

So, she gets by the best she can on the seedier side of town, and - yes - she gets in trouble. It would be nice if she could change her name, dye her hair and take a job as a cashier, maybe settle down in some small town and get by - but, apparently, she doesn't want to give up her identity. With as little as she's got in the self esteem arena, I can't say as I blame her.

This was one of the best articles about her that I've read. The author doesn't color it rosy - he mentions the drunk driving, etc. - but doesn't make a villian out of her either.

If I were at a place where she was appearing (not likely - prize fighting is not my cuppa tea) and if I had the $10, I'd fork it over and be one of those people giving her a hug.

Linny

 

[Pixie Cut]

Tonya Harding was invited to a pro competition, at which she did well. Several offers for shows followed, and before she'd done more than a handful, she was in trouble with the law again and offers were cancelled. She started coaching and had several students, but she was irresponsible and they stopped working with her. As far as I know, she never put in an application to the USFSA to be recognized as a coach. So how seriously did she take coaching? Yes, you're correct in saying the USFSA never allowed her to compete again, but frankly by 1994 her competitive days were over. Agreed, the first few years after '94 she was persona non grata, but by the late 90s she could have had a decent pro career if she had acted responsibly.