Harding Attacked in Park : Figure skating: She suffers sprained wrist. Police not treating it as random. Her appeal to postpone USFSA hearing is denied.

One week after Tonya Harding fizzled in the XVII Winter Olympics by finishing eighth, she has returned to the public consciousness.

Harding, under investigation for her alleged role in the Jan. 6 assault on rival figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, told police she was attacked while walking through a park in Beaverton, Ore., late Thursday night.

It was yet another twist to the two-month saga that also included Friday’s decision by the U.S. Figure Skating Assn. to deny Harding’s appeal to postpone a disciplinary hearing scheduled for Thursday.

Harding, a two-time Olympian, said she was attacked from behind by an assailant as she walked toward an apartment complex where she is staying with her best friend, Stephanie Quintero.

Police are investigating the case as if it were not a random attack. They refused to name any suspects.

Harding, 23, suffered minor bruises and a sprained wrist. She was treated at Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center and released.

With her left wrist wrapped in a bandage, she talked briefly with reporters camped outside the apartment where she stays.

“I’m feeling OK,” Harding said. “Can’t you guys get a life or something?”

Harding was visibly upset and suffering an asthma attack when officers arrived at the residence after the assault, police said. Rescue personnel gave her oxygen. She was able to talk only after taking asthma medicine.

A police report said Harding told officers that she was pushed from behind. After struggling, she activated a personal security system that emits a loud scream, which scared away the assailant, believed to be male, the report said.

David Webber, Quintero’s father, told reporters: “She’s survived a lot of other things. This is just another thing that she’ll survive.”

Webber said Harding’s injuries were minor. He said they would not prevent her from competing in the World Figure Skating Championships, which begin on March 22 in Chiba, Japan.

But a USFSA panel could alter those plans if it finds that Harding violated the organization’s code of ethics. The group is meeting Thursday in Colorado Springs, Colo., to determine her status.

The panel is expected to meet for at least two days, during which time Harding’s attorneys will be allowed to cross-examine witnesses, said William Hybl, panel chairman. Harding could be suspended from the association.

Harding’s attorneys, who successfully stopped the U.S. Olympic Committee from suspending Harding before the Lillehammer Games last month, are trying to secure her place in the world championships by forcing the panel to postpone its hearing.

The hearing was ordered last month after it was determined that there were reasonable grounds to believe Harding was in violation of the USFSA’s code for her involvement in the Kerrigan assault.

Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, has pleaded guilty to racketeering in connection with the attack. He also has implicated Harding. Shawn Eckhardt, Harding’s bodyguard, was arrested for his role in the attack and also named Harding as a conspirator. Harding has denied that she knew about the attack beforehand.

But Harding’s attorneys claimed that she did not have enough time to prepare for the hearing, that the panel was not impartial and that the proceedings would prejudice her position in a criminal investigation against her.

A Portland, Ore., grand jury is expected to deliver its final report on March 21, a day before the world championships.

The Justice Dept. also is considering whether Harding violated federal laws in connection with the Kerrigan assault. John Russell, a spokesman for the criminal division, said a review was initiated two weeks ago at the request of local prosecutors.