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ESPN Films' Upcoming "The Price of Gold" Focuses on Tonya Harding, Nancy Kerrigan and the "Whack Heard Around the World" 20 Years Ago
On January 6, 1994, just weeks before the Olympic Games in Norway, Nancy Kerrigan was struck on the knee in a stunning attack and what unfolded was one of the most dramatic controversies in sports history. ESPN Films will debut a new 30 for 30 documentary, The Price of Gold, on Thursday, January 16, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. The documentary is directed by award-winning filmmaker Nanette Burstein (The Kid Stays in the Picture, American Teen, On the Ropes.)
The world was mesmerized by two athletes in particular at the 1994 Winter Games in Lillehammer - Nancy Kerrigan, the elegant brunette and Tonya Harding, the feisty blonde engulfed in scandal. Several weeks prior, at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Kerrigan was shockingly clubbed on the right knee by an unknown assailant and left wailing, "Why, why, why?" As the bizarre "why" mystery unraveled, it was revealed that Harding's ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, had plotted the attack with his friends to eliminate Kerrigan from the competition and increase Harding's chance at a gold medal. Now two decades later, The Price of Gold takes a fresh look at the worldwide spectacle that ensued with Harding in the center of it all.
"This surreal controversy unfolded during a time before the pervasive 24-hour news and tabloid culture that exists today," said Libby Geist, director of development and producer for ESPN Films. "This film tells the story of how the Tonya/Nancy saga captured the attention of the world and created one of the most bizarre scandals in sports history."
The Price of Gold features interviews with Tonya Harding, Connie Chung, Tony Kornheiser, coaches for both Kerrigan and Harding, Kerrigan's husband/manager Jerry Solomon, and many others.
30 for 30-related updates are available at www.facebook.com/espn30for30 and www.twitter.com/30for30. Fans can join the conversation with hashtag #ThePriceofGold.
About ESPN Films
Created in March 2008, ESPN Films produces high-quality films showcasing some of the most compelling stories in sports. In October 2009, ESPN Films launched the Peabody Award-winning, Producer's Guild Award-winning and Emmy-nominated 30 for 30 film series. Inspired by ESPN's 30th Anniversary, the films that made up the series were a thoughtful and innovative reflection on the past three decades told through the lens of diverse and interesting sports fans and social commentators. The strong reaction from both critics and fans led to the launch of 30 for 30 Volume II, which is currently underway. Additional projects from ESPN Films include the critically acclaimed Nine for IX series, SEC Storied and the webby award winning 30 for 30 Shorts.
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