"Please believe in me." -- two-time U.S. Figure Skating Champion Tonya Harding (1991, 1994)

There is no question in my mind that most everyone doesn't like Tonya Harding. Hate might be the appropriate word.

She hasn't shown sympathy for the attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan. She's a smoking asthmatic. She's in-your-face. She's an outsider in the skating world. Her tough life has contributed to a tough attitude.

How could she not know that her entourage of supporters --her bodyguard and her ex-husband -- were involved in the attack?

Harding has to be innocent until proven guilty. But the U.S. Figure Skating Association is trying to find a way to keep her off the Olympic team. The reasoning is that she has already caused enough bad press, and her presence would be a hindrance to America's athletes in Lillehammer, Norway.

If she's innocent, that would be an even worse crime than the attack on Kerrigan. Harding earned her trip and has every right to compete -- if she is innocent.

If she was involved in the incident, I wouldn't argue for a second that she should not be able to compete. But there's still an investigation.

Everyone is using Harding's troubled past and attitude against her. She must be guilty because she's such a "bitch," right? Wrong. She could be a victim.

It makes no sense. Two spots were available on the team. Harding would have qualified even if Kerrigan had competed. If those close to Harding really loved her, they should have had the faith that she could win anyway.

Harding's programs at the nationals were excellent. The last time she skated as well was at the 1991 Skate America competition. Kerrigan, the favorite to win the nationals, could easily have finished second.

Could Harding have performed as well as she did knowing the truth behind the assault? Her performances in Detroit were proof she had climbed back. It's obvious she worked very hard.

Harding is arguably the best jumper in the world. She is the only American woman to land a triple axel, the second woman next to Japan's Midori Ito.

It amazes me how many mistakes reach print in skating articles. Reporters get very careless with their facts. Case in point: Kerrigan was not a gold medal favorite for the Olympics. She became one after the attack -- it made a more compelling story.

Harding hit the jump four times in competition -- not once, like so many writers have written in the past. She has fallen five times since, then taking the jump out of her program completely after the 1992 World Championships.

The most logical assumption is that Jeff Gillooly, her ex-husband, masterminded the attack. Harding loves him and believes the innocence he claims. A warrant for his arrest was issued yesterday. We may never know what really happened.

And what will happen if both skaters compete at the Games this February? While Kerrigan will undoubtedly be greeted with thunderous applause upon her return to Olympic ice, Harding will have a few detractors. Or just no applause at all.

I'm not exonerating Harding, nor am I cutting on Kerrigan's ability. They are both wonderful athletes. Yes, things are looking bad, but Harding has to be given the benefit of a doubt.

I'm sure as you read this, Harding is being carted off to a jail cell to practice her routine behind bars. There is a new twist in this story every minute. But this point still had to be made. Innocent until proven guilty.

And how guilty Kristi Yamaguchi must feel. The 1992 Olympic Champion could be blamed for the Kerrigan attack --if she were still competing as an amateur, she would have easily defeated both of her teammates. The issue wouldn't exist.

Or maybe Yamaguchi would be the one recovering from a very painful whack on the knee right now . . .

And to Harding -- right now, I believe.