In an effort to bring figure skating to a wider audience—Hey, Marvin, check it out! Full-contact figure skating! Who knew?!?—some henchman associated with U.S. figure skater Tonya Harding whacked Nancy Kerrigan, Harding's primary competition, on the knee before nationals. Kerrigan missed that event but was named to the Olympic team anyway; she eventually won a silver medal. For her part, when it appeared she would be booted from the squad, Harding did what any right-minded, honorable American would do in that situation: She went to court, dammit. Harding was allowed to skate and embarrassed herself entirely, finishing eighth.

* These Games were held only two years after Albertville because the IOC decided to separate the Summer and Winter Olympics. To attract additional TV revenue, the events will be alternated every two years.

* Johann Olav Koss of Norway won three speed skating golds and improved the world record in each race.

* U.S. speed skater Bonnie Blair won her fourth and fifth gold medals, becoming the most successful female U.S. Winter Olympian. Teammate Dan Jansen finally won a gold in his eighth try, with a world record in the 1,000 meters.

cover photographs by Tom Lynn, Heinz Kluetmeier and Bill Eppridge

Sports Illustrated Flashback: As the World Turns | The Golden Goal