Diane Rawlinson was an iconic figure in the world of figure skating, who served as the coach and mentor to Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding. She devoted over two decades of her life to helping Tonya hone her skills, reach her dreams, and transform into the world-class skater she became.
Born in Portland, Oregon in 1944, Diane began her career as a professional figure skater at the age of 10. After a successful competitive career that included winning several titles and medals, she retired from competition and began coaching in 1968. Her first student was Tonya Harding, then just 9 years old; they formed an instant bond that lasted until Diane retired in 1994.
Throughout their time together, Diane worked closely with Tonya to refine her technique and develop her artistry on the ice. She choreographed many of Tonya’s programs, including those she performed durng her Olympic competitions. She also provided invaluable moral support throughout Tonya’s ups and downs on and off the ice.
Diane was one of the few people who stood by Tonya throughout the infamous attack on Nancy Kerrigan and subsequent scandal that nearly derailed both their careers. Thanks to Diane’s guidance and unwavering support, both women were able to go on to achieve great success in their respective fields after the dust settled.
In many ways, Diane is one of the unsung heroes of Tonya Harding’s story – without her help, it’s likely that neither would have come so far or achieved such heights in their respective fields. To this day, she is remembered fondly by both fans and colleagues for being a true friend and mentor for one of America’s most remarkable athletes – no matter what life threw at them.
The Accuracy of ‘I, Tonya’
I, Tonya is a semi-fictionalized account of the events leading up to the attack on figure skater Nancy Kerrigan in 1994. While some of the elements are true, many have been dramatized or exaggerated for dramatic effect. For example, Tonya Harding’s abusive relationship with her ex-husband Jeff Gillooly was exaggerated in the movie for dramatic purposes. Additionally, some details about the attack itself have been changed or omitted from the movie, including who was actally involved and which car they used to drive away from the scene. While I, Tonya may not be entirely factually accurate, it does provide an interesting look at one of the most infamous scandals in Olympic history.
Source: usatoday.com
The Consequences of Tonya Harding’s Skate Incident
On the night of the Olympics, Tonya Harding was performing her first skate when disaster struck; her shoelace had broken and she was unable to continue. Although she was allowed a re-skate, it was ultimately fruitless as Harding came in eighth place at the Olympics. Many people viewed this as “karma” for her involvement in an attack on fellow figure skater Nancy Kerrigan a few months previously. Despite Harding’s strong performance, she was unable to overcome the controversy surrounding her.
How Much Money Did Tonya Harding Earn From Skating?
Tonya Harding was a competitive figure skater in the late eighties and early nineties. During her time on the ice, she made a significant amount of money from competing in amateur and professional competitions. She won over $100,000 in prize money for her performances at the 1991 and 1994 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, and that doesn’t include other smaller competitions or endorsement deals she had with varous companies. Additionally, she earned an estimated $1 million from her brief tenure as a professional skater and from appearances on television shows like Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. In total, Tonya Harding made an impressive sum of money from her career as a figure skater.
Tonya Harding’s Coach
Tonya Harding’s coach was Diane Rawlinson, her mentor and figure skating coach of over 20 years. Diane was extremely influential in Tonya’s life and career, teaching her the ins-and-outs of figure skating and helping her to hone her style. She was with Tonya every day, providing guidance and support, and was instrumental in helping her reach her goals.
Nancy Kerrigan’s Return to Skating
Yes, Nancy Kerrigan continued to skate after the Olympics. After competing at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Games, she became a professional non-competitive skater and performed in shows such as Footloose on Ice and Broadway on Ice. More recently, she has participated in events such as Stars On Ice, which showcases Olympic figure skaters, and the 2018 Figure Skating in Harlem Gala. Additionally, she has made guest appearances on television shows such as Dancing with the Stars and The Rachael Ray Show while continuing to promote her work with charities.
Source: today.com
Did Tonya Know About the Letters?
In the ABC special Truth and Lies: The Tonya Harding Story, Tonya Harding admitted that she had knowledge of the plan to injure Nancy Kerrigan before the attack happened. In an interview, Harding stated that her ex-husband Jeff Gillooly had sent her a letter prior to the attack, informing her of his plans. She also said that she received a phone call from him telling her what he was going to do. Although Harding stated that she did not think they would go through with it, she was aware of their intentions.
Tonya Harding’s Return to Skating
No, Tonya Harding was never allowed to skate again. As part of her plea bargain, she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to hinder prosecution in the aftermath of the assault on Kerrigan. Consequently, the United States Figure Skating Association issued a lifetime ban on June 30, 1994, which prohibited her from ever participating in any USFSA-sanctioned events. This ban was upheld by the International Skating Union as well in 1997.
Consequences of Tonya Harding’s Actions: Was She Stripped of Her Medals?
Yes, Tonya Harding was stripped of her medals in the wake of the attack on Nancy Kerrigan in 1994. In June of that year, the U.S. Figure Skating Association (USFSA) stripped Harding of her 1994 national championship and banned her from the organization for life. This decision effectively barred Harding from competing in any future USFSA-sanctioned events or receiving further recognition or rewards from the organization. Additionally, all awards and prizes associated with her 1994 national title—including medals—were revoked.
The Outcome of Tonya Harding’s Lawsuit Against the Olympics
Yes, Tonya Harding sued the U.S. Olympic Committee late Wednesday for blocking her eligibility for the U.S. figure skating team and demanding $20 million in damages. The suit was filed in an effort to retain her place on the team and prevent the USOC’s impending hearing on her eligibility from taking place.
Source: nytimes.com
Tonya’s Olympic Appearances
Tonya Harding competed in the Olympics twice. She represented the United States in the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France and then again in the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. Harding was a medal hopeful for both appearances, but finished in 8th place at Albertville and 4th place at Lillehammer.
Tonya’s Payment for Movie
Tonya Harding was initially paid just $1,500 for the rights to her life story and permission to portray her in the movie. While this fee was only enough to cover a month’s rent, she did receive a percentage of the film’s profits in addition to the initial payment.
The Current Relationship Between Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan
No, Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan are not friends now. They have not spoken since the 1998 event, and Kerrigan has stated that she has never received a “direct” apology from Harding. Despite the two figure skaters having ended their competitive careers many years ago, their relationship appears to still be strained.
Conclusion
Diane Rawlinson was an essential part of Tonya Harding’s journey to Olympic ice skating stardom. Despite the controversies and difficulties surrounding Tonya, Diane remained by her side for more than 20 years, encouraging her and supporting her through thick and thin. She was instrumental in developing Tonya’s unique style, which helped her stand out on the ice in a positive way. Diane was present at every turn, from competitions to practices, to open doors that would eventually lead Tonya to fulfill her dreams of becoming an Olympic figure skater. Her commitment and dedication were integral in helping Tonya achieve great success, and she will foreer be remembered as one of the most important people in Tonya’s life.
