Harding Loses Title and Is Banned for Life

The U.S. Figure Skating Assn. finally got its chance to pronounce judgment on Tonya Harding Thursday, and the verdict was harsh.

She was stripped of the national championship she won in Detroit on Jan. 8 and was banned from the association for life.

The decision in Colorado Springs, Colo., by a five-member disciplinary panel appointed by the association was unanimous.

Harding’s actions surrounding the Jan. 6 attack on her rival, Nancy Kerrigan, “evidence a clear disregard for fairness, good sportsmanship and ethical behavior,” the panel said.

William Hybl, a former U.S. Olympic Committee president who chaired the panel, said Harding’s admission March 16 that she had conspired to hinder prosecution of those responsible for the attack was the most important factor in the decision. But the panel believed Harding’s involvement went much further.

Harding denies that she knew of the attack before it occurred, but Hybl said the panel was convinced otherwise.

“I think it’s a cumulative effect of a lot of evidence,” he said. “I will tell you that various records--bank records, phone records--and the way they came together to establish a case really were very important to this panel.”

Harding remained in Portland, Ore., her hometown, and did not participate in the two-day hearing that ended Thursday.

Harding has 30 days to appeal to the USFSA executive committee. Under the organization’s bylaws, if she does appeal and is not satisfied, she can then appeal to an independent arbitrator. Bob Weaver, Harding’s attorney, indicated that an appeal was unlikely.

The association considers the 1994 national championship vacant and its executive committee will decide whether anyone will be named to fill it. Michelle Kwan of Torrance finished second in the U.S. competition.

Jurisprudence

A woman who claims Jason Kidd fathered her child has filed suit against him, asking for $10,000 a month in child-support payments.

The suit was filed in Alameda County Superior Court on Wednesday, the same day the All-American point guard from California was the second overall selection in the NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks.

A federal judge in Minneapolis prohibited a state court in New Orleans from interfering in the legal battle involving the NBA, the Minnesota Timberwolves and rejected buyer Top Rank of Louisiana.

Miscellany

Graduation rates for NCAA athletes in the second year of Proposition 48 generally kept pace with the gains made in the first year, and women did better than men.

Melbourne’s unsuccessful bid to play host to the 1996 Olympics may have been sabotaged from within, according to a report in the Melbourne Herald-Sun.

Karch Kiraly, the top-ranked player in pro beach volleyball, will not play in the Manhattan Beach Open beginning today. Kiraly suffered a kidney bruise three weeks ago while diving for a ball during a tournament in Colorado and has not competed since.

Names in the News

Dale Earnhardt, who drew the last position among the 47 stock car drivers who made qualifying runs for Saturday’s Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway, won the pole position and kept Loy Allen Jr. from winning his fourth pole of the season. . . . The Chicago Bulls will pay tribute to Michael Jordan by retiring his No. 23 and unveiling a bronze statue of him during a ceremony Nov. 1 at the United Center.