Most Utahns don't think ice skater Tonya Harding is telling the truth about her involvement in the attack against fellow U.S. figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, and most Utahns also think Harding should be kicked off the U.S. Olympic team because of the attack, the latest Deseret News/KSL poll shows.
Harding has not been indicted in the attack on Kerrigan, who was bashed on the knee by a man several weeks ago after leaving the ice in preparation for the U.S. national championships. However, various news organizations report that an indictment against Harding is pending. Kerrigan couldn't compete in the nationals, but was appointed to the Olympic team anyway and is expected to compete in the Lillehammer, Norway Games later this month.Harding won the nationals and, so far, is still on the U.S. Olympic team. But figure skating officials, the United States Olympic Committee or even the International Olympic Committee could remove Harding from the competition.
Pollster Dan Jones & Associates found in a poll conducted last week that 67 percent of Utahns don't believe Harding when she says she had no prior knowledge of the planned attack on Kerrigan. Sixteen percent think Harding is telling the truth and 17 percent didn't have an opinion, Jones found.
Harding's ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, has reportedly told law enforcement officials that Harding knew of the attack beforehand. Gillooly has already pled guilty to racketeering in connection with the attack. Harding has already admitted that she learned that Gillooly and her bodyguard were involved in the attack several days after Kerrigan was attacked, but Harding failed to notify officials of what she knew.
Jones also found that 59 percent of Utahns think that Harding should not be allowed to skate for the United States in the Winter Olympics. Twenty-six percent think Harding should be allowed to compete, 10 percent had some other opinion and 5 percent didn't know.
The Harding/Kerrigan story has been grabbing headlines for weeks. Harding continues to work out in a Portland, Ore., skating rink - where up to 3,000 fans turn out each day to cheer her on. Kerrigan is also preparing for the Games.
The U.S. Figure Skating Association should decide this weekend whether there is enough evidence to hold an official disciplinary investigation on Harding's role in the attack. Under USFSA rules, if such a hearing is called Harding has 30 days to respond - putting any action off until after the Olympic figure skating is held.
However, the USOC could also take action against Harding, as could the IOC itself. Harding's attorneys have threatened to go to court to stop any sport governing authority from trying to stop Harding from skating in the Olympics.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Deseret News/KSL poll
Tonya Harding has denied any prior knowledge or wrongdoing in the attack on fellow skater Nancy Kerrigan. In your opinion is she telling the truth?
PROBABLY 16%
PROBABLY NOT 67%
DON'T KNOW 17%
The U.S. Olympic Committe will soon have to decide if Tonya Harding will be allowed to compete in the 1994 Olympics. Do you feel she should compete?
PROBABLY 26%
PROBABLY NOT 59%
OTHER 10%
DON'T KNOW 5%
Poll conducted February 1-3, 1994. Margin of error +/-4 percent on interviews of 602 adults. Conducted by Dan Jones & Associates.
Copyright 1994 Deseret News
