The team competition in figure skating is new to the Winter Olympics this year, having been announced in 2011. It gives skaters who might otherwise not have the opportunity to medal, the chance to get on the podium with their country. It includes all the skating disciplines: ice dancing, pairs, and ladies and mens singles.

The scoring is based on points awarded to placements. The first round is the short program. 10 nations can qualify to the team competition based on performances at international qualifying events in the year prior; after the short program, the 10 lowest scoring teams are dropped and the remaining 5 battled it out in the free skate.

• 1st place: 10 points
• 2nd place: 9 points
• 3rd place: 8 points

This formula continues and the highest total point earner is the winner of the gold medal.

Figure skating is one of the most watched sports during the winter games, so the implementation of this event keeps it in the spotlight longer (thus driving up ratings and ad revenues!) The IOC says the goal of the team competition is to remain:

relevant and appealing to younger generations.

Nancy Kerrigan would probably beg differ, stating in a September 2013 interview that she had a pretty strong indication from authorities that Tonya knew:

I tried for a very long time to think that they must have done it without Tonya knowing. But the FBI said there was no mistaking what had taken place. They told me: “We can’t give you hard proof, but we do this for a living, and we are convinced Harding knew.”

Her ex-husband Jeff Gillooly would probably also beg to differ. In a rare interview with Deadspin in December of 2013, Jeff stated:

She’ll never be remembered for how wonderful a figure skater she was. She’ll be remembered for what I talked her into doing.

Jeff Gillooly changed his name to Jeff Stone after his release from prison in 1995.

The Lillehammer games marked the separation of the summer and winter Olympics, which previously would be held every 4 years during the same year. Now they are staggered 2 years from one another.

One of which was her ex-husband who she had reconciled with.

They were approached by reporters in Oregon on January 15th of 1994 and simply attested to being exhausted. Poor babies!

She previously had the chance to accomplish this just 2 years prior, when the Summer and Winter Olympics were still held concurrently. In 1992, at the Albertville, France Olympics, Tonya finished just off the podium in 4th. She arrived so late to the games that jet lag interfered with her performance. This was due to the USFSA monitoring her practices until the last possible minute, amidst questioning if they should send her.

Pictured: Tonya sits in the “kiss and cry” area at the ‘92 Olympics following her long skate.

This opportunity was not stripped of Harding, and she went on to compete side by side with Nancy at the Olympics.

Turns out it is a crime! Hire a new lawyer…..oh wait.

On March 16, 1994, Harding accepted a plea bargain for committing the Class C felony of “hindering prosecution.”

She was also permanently banned by the USFSA from competing for the United States ever again.

Nancy Kerrigan was the golden child; the persona that the USFSA and the figure skating community adored. She was 25 and still lived at home with her parents. Her costumes were all designed by Vera Wang. She said her training left her with no time for a boyfriend. Her skating style was elegant and refined.

Tonya Harding grew up in a trailer park. She married at 19, later divorced, and then reconciled–she claims at the insistence of the USFSA for the sake of appearances. She handmade her costumes for a great length of time and at one point a judge threatened to kick her out of skating for it. Her skating style was one of power and raw talent. She was known for being the first American woman to land a triple axel.

In the ESPN 30 for 30 film The Price of Gold, Tonya remarked on the media portrayal:

She’s a princess. I’m a piece of crap.

Oh, really?

Pictured: Harding and Kerrigan during a practice at the Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. Kerrigan wore the same outfit as she had on when she was attacked, perceived by many as a form of intimidation.