Nancy Kerrigan’s Silver Medal

Clearly, Nancy Kerrigan won the gold, which in no way deprecates Oksana Baiul’s performance. Were we all watching the Olympics or politics? The five judges who voted for Baiul were all from former Iron Curtain countries. The three Western judges and the Japanese judge were simply outnumbered.

The Olympics should return to its origins--athletes representing themselves and not their countries.

DONALD E. SMOLEN

Beverly Hills

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* Many people in the U.S. felt disappointed and some were outraged by the order in which the medals were awarded after the free program section of the competition, worth two-thirds the total of all the score.

Kerrigan failed to complete a required element early in her routine and did all else first-rate. Baiul happened to have a subtle but nevertheless two-footed landing of one of the mandatory elements and delivered a routine beyond all artistic expectations for a 16-year-old or just about any age range.

While it is perhaps fair to rank equally well the technical portion of their programs, it is equally clear that Baiul’s level of artistry and variety far outclassed Kerrigan’s. No offense intended.

By the by, I am as patriotic as the next fellow, and love and admire America just as much. But one simply should not allow one’s sense of value or judgment to be colored by an overdose of this sentiment, a very worthy and noble one indeed.

JEAN G. NICOLAS

Fullerton

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* As a member of the U.S. Figure Skating Assn. and one who has skated for more than 50 years, I am saddened to write this letter. The low point for me in the outstanding Winter Olympics was not when a talented athlete took a fall or lost a medal by one-tenth of a point. No, it was the day of the closing ceremonies when I saw that Kerrigan would not be joining her teammates. Instead, she was at Disney World given accolades reserved for American heroes (March 1-2).

Funny, I always thought being a part of an American team for better or worse and as an example for the youth of our country made one a hero.

Well, Nancy never said she was skating for her team, but for her personal best. Maybe personal best means being a commercial success--even Mickey Mouse should lower his head.

JANET WORTMAN

Marina del Rey

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* Why can’t figure-skating judges figure? If you win one program and tie the second, you win. Nancy, it figures!

DARRELL D. FANESTIL

La Jolla

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* It is the running of the race that matters . . . not the winning of the race! I sincerely hope Tonya Harding has learned one of life’s great lessons. Such a humbling experience for Tonya and company.

CAROL ROSS EDMONSTON

Fullerton

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* After the figure skating finals, I am no longer envious of the Olympic dream. How sad it is that one competitor is allowed to make a “mockery” of the entire world of figure skating and the Olympics. Give me a triple break, please!

KERRIN H. RIGGS

Lomita