Ep 16. The Price of Gold

In the 1994 Winter Olympics, American figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was attacked by a man hired by the ex-husband of her rival, Tonya Harding, in an event that shocked the world. The incident became known as "The Whack Heard Round the World," and it took place just a month before the Olympics. The media frenzy that followed was unprecedented, and both Kerrigan and Harding became household names overnight.

"The Price of Gold" is a documentary that explores the events leading up to and following the attack, focusing on Harding's experiences in particular. Through interviews with friends, family, and experts, the film delves deeply into Harding's history and her relationships with both her ex-husband and her mother, who were both involved in the planning and execution of the attack.

The film portrays Harding as a woman who was determined to succeed in a sport that had historically favored graceful, upper-class skaters over those from working-class backgrounds. Despite being immensely talented, Harding struggled to fit in with the skating community, which viewed her as crass and unsophisticated. Her personal life was also marked by considerable hardship, including a difficult relationship with her mother, who she alleges was physically and verbally abusive throughout her childhood.

The events leading up to Kerrigan's attack are reconstructed in great detail, with the film drawing on extensive research and archival footage. Viewers will see interviews with many of the key players in the saga, including Harding herself, as well as her coaches, her ex-husband Jeff Gillooly, and his friend and co-conspirator, Shawn Eckhardt. Through these interviews, a picture emerges of a group of people who were desperate to win at any cost, and who were willing to resort to violence to achieve their goals.

Following the attack, the story became even more complicated and convoluted, with the media quickly taking sides and portraying Harding and Kerrigan as bitter rivals. The film examines the ways in which the media narrative shaped public opinion and how it affected Harding's life and career. Despite being cleared of any involvement in the attack, Harding was never able to shake off the stigma that attached to her, and she remains a somewhat controversial figure to this day.

Overall, "The Price of Gold" is a gripping and thought-provoking look at one of the most shocking and iconic moments in the history of sports. It offers a nuanced and multi-layered view of the events surrounding the attack on Kerrigan, and provides valuable insights into the ways in which class, gender, and power operate within the world of competitive sports. By shining a light on the stories of the people involved in this drama, the film encourages viewers to reconsider their assumptions and to look beyond the sensationalized headlines and soundbites that so often dominate the news.