“God, why me? Why me?” It was the immediate, plaintive cry of figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, America’s premier hope for Olympic skating gold in Norway next month, after being attacked Thursday after practice at Detroit’s Cobo Arena.
Why her? Why at all? Why, why, why?
There can only be speculation as to the motive of her attacker. But in beating her on the knee with what appeared to be a tire iron or crowbar, he clearly seemed determined to keep her from competing.
In that, he accomplished his purpose. It has cost her the chance to defend her U.S. championship, may cost her the chance to compete in the Olympics, and almost surely has cost her very much more.
Why, why, why? What did Nancy Kerrigan-who has captivated millions with her elegance-ever do to anyone to invite brutalization by a madman?
The answers are unfathomable because they lurk darkly in the recesses of a demented mind. The anger in response is palpable because of the utter, hopeless unfairness of it all-and the realization that all athletes, even one so delicate in a sport of graceful symmetry, are vulnerable as the price of fame.
We can attempt consolation, as Kerrigan has, with the perception that this was the work of one deranged person, and that all people are not like that. But it is little comfort, and there are sickening parallels to the attack last year on tennis star Monica Seles, stabbed by a fan obsessed with her rival, Steffi Graf. And Kerrigan is not alone among women figure skaters terrorized by stalkers and death threats.
Is it coming to this, that athletes also must compete with the demons that warp certain spectators? The stark, sad reality is yes-and that strict security, now more than ever, must be part of the game.
Can Nancy Kerrigan ever again take the ice without reliving her nightmare? Can she ever again feel truly safe? Can any athlete? Can anyone?
