The graceful glide on the ice was shattered last week when an attacker struck figure skater Nancy Kerrigan in the leg. The assault is one more example that the world of sports is not isolated from the pain of an increasingly violent society.

Several events illustrate athletes aren't any safer than the rest of us -- take the stabbing of tennis player Monica Seles during a match last April and the 1972 terrorist invasion of the Olympic Village in Munich where 11 Israeli athletes were taken hostage and killed.

Recently we have heard several declarations against violence. Politicians have been spouting the need for less guns on the street and for educating youth to solve problems in diplomatic -- rather than violent ways.

Obviously the problem goes beyond the streets. The sports environment is not immune to society's ills, meaning if we want to continue to have our sporting events and entertainment in safe arenas, we the fans must tackle the root of the problem. After all, how many times have you wished injury on the opposing quarterback?

Athletic officials must step up the security at events so that a crazed fan cannot run onto a field and try to tackle the football players, or a random knife from the stadium bleachers doesn't puncture a baseball player.

But security is not enough.

It's sad that fans feel obliged to hurt athletes who have devoted their lives to hone their skills. And it's sorry that athletes and fans cannot rely on their own abilities to win, but resort to off-the-field attempts at cutting down competitors (see Texas cheerleading mom and friends of Tonya Harding).

A lot is at stake when it comes to money and reputation. But that is no excuse for the existence of violence in the world of sports. And when it comes down to it, a game is just a game.