Michelle Kwan won the 1994 World Junior Championships. In 1994, Kwan finished second to Tonya Harding at the U.S. Championships, which ordinarily would have placed her on the U.S. team to the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway. That place was instead given to 1993 national champion Nancy Kerrigan, who had been sidelined by an assault and battery (eventually connected to Harding's ex-husband Jeff Gillooly) after a practice session at those championships. The 13-year-old Kwan went to Norway as an alternate but did not compete. Kerrigan and Harding both dropped out of eligible competition before the 1994 World Championships. Because of this
John Hamer (figure skater) John Hamer (figure skater) John William Hamer (born 12 September 1984) is an English former competitive figure skater. He is a three-time British national champion (2005–07). His best result at an ISU Championship was 19th at the 2005 European Championships. Hamer started skating relatively late, at age 11. His mother, who had skated during childhood, chose the activity as part of her rehabilitation following a road traffic accident. Her son came with her to the Gillingham Ice rink and, after five weeks of group lessons, he signed up for private lessons with Gary Jones, who would coach him for his