EDITORIAL Olympic battle goes past the ice As tho list grows of those charged in the Kerrigan case, one name has yet to be added: T onya Harding. Many indications have been made that Harding has had some involvement in the case, but she has not been i barged with a crime The only trial she has had is from the media. In a poll on the radio asking for a vote on whether she should be able to compete in the Olympics, she was losing Harding is untitled to keep her spot on the t J.S. Olympic team until she is found to be directly involved in the conspiracy. The International Committee of the U.S. !• iguru Skating Association is expected to vote next week whether Harding should remain on the team roster, and the U S Olympic Committee is to decide by Jan. 31. Harding can be removed by a majority vote from the committee but must have a hearing and be given a chance to dispute the evidence against her before being banned from the ITS. Olympic team. Unfortunately, for Harding, the burden of proof for the skating commission is loss than a criminal case, less than a preponderance of evidence that some misdeed has occurred. LoRoy Walker, president of the U.S. Olympic Committee, said the easiest thing would be for Harding to step down. Even if in fact she has had no involvement in the conspiracy, the Olympic Committee still deems stepping down to he the easiest thing. Sure, the easiest thing for the committee. However, asking an Olympic athlete to stop down sounds a little out of context and slightly ridiculous. Since when does anyone expect an Olympic athlete to take the easy way out? That would directly contradict the whole theory behind an athlete’s efforts to compote at the Olympic level. Voluntarily stopping down mnv mean voluntarily ending a lifelong career in figure skating. Harding has not boon charged, despite a few fingers being pointed, but she should fight this one until the bitter end. Backing down to the politics, if they are just politics, that link her to the Kerrigan case should not stop her attempt at an Olympic medal. The spirit of competition should go far past the ice in this Olympic event; it should extend deep into the decision of Harding's fate on the Olympic team. Olympic officials are concerned with tho effect Harding's appearance will have at the Olympic Games. That sounds like an official thing to be concerned with. Maybe it's a good idea to mar appearances if. in fact, one of the world's best figure skaters has less than the preponderance of evidence that a misdeed has occurred. But voluntarily stepping down sounds like an "official" thing to ask for. Obviously if she is found to be linked with the conspiracy, her Olympic dream will quickly become a nightmare, if it isn't already. The possibility that her involvement in the conspiracy is nothing more than an allegation exists. It might be a good idea to weigh both sidos of the argument before deciding to request her resignation — not just a resignation to tho Olympic Games but a resignation to a life-long battle to become the best. Oregon Daily Emerald The Oregon Dm!} fmorjKd t* published d*ty Monday through Fnday durmg the school yea' and Tuesday and Thursday during the lummat by tha O'agon 0a< y Emerald PUbfcshmQ Co . tnc at tha Urworsrty ol Oregon. Eugene. Oregon The FmeraW operate* mdependenfly of the University with office* at Su*e 300 of the frb Memorial Urson and is a member ol the Associated Preas The f mar eld.» private property The unlawlul removal or ule ol paper* a prosacufstt* by law Editor-In-Chief: Jake Berg Managing Editor Editorial Editor Qraplilca Editor Fraalanca Editor Ul*«y AA0e*»0n 0«vr*y F