AMID CONTROVERSY, THE OLYMPIC GAMES SKATE INTO ACTION

The 1994 Olympics was to be known as the Year of the Professionals. Thanks to a new rule, a number of professional stars and gold medalists are returning to the winter games in Lillehammer, Norway. But the Nancy Kerrigan-Tonya Harding affair has turned pre-Olympic publicity into an unprofessional mess.

Now, as we're poised for the start of this 16-day Olympic festival, America and the world will be challenged to refocus their attention. We must look beyond this tawdry sideshow to relish the courage and mastery of some of the world's finest athletes.

The XVII Olympics begin Saturday with the opening ceremony and hockey. They will end Saturday, Feb. 27, with four-man bobsled, Alpine skiing, cross country skiing, and hockey. The gold and the glory will fill the days in between with athletes from 80 different nations.

Through all its ups and downs, the Olympics remains a prized competition. The television viewing audience alone has been projected at 2 billion people. These winter games are coming two years earlier than normal -- thanks to an effort to put the winter and summer games on different four-year cycles. It's only been two years since Albertville, so many of the names and faces will be familiar.

On Tuesday -- once again -- the spotlight will no doubt be diverted from the games to Harding, however. That's the day the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) will convene its Games Administrative Board to review evidence on Harding's possible involvement in the attack on Nancy Kerrigan.

As a preemptive strike, Harding's attorneys filed a $20 million lawsuit against the USOC late Wednesday in an effort to prevent it from interfering with her participation.

All must be decided by Feb. 21 -- the day of the draw in the women's ice skating competition. No doubt the legal maneuverings will continue long after.

We realize the USOC faces a sticky legal wicket. But it would almost be the best for everyone if Harding were disqualified.

Yes, a person is innocent until proven guilty. But this is not a court of law. It is a competition in which the world's best and brightest compete. Surely the USOC has enough evidence to remove Harding from the team on the grounds of unethical conduct. Her admitted knowledge of the attack and her silence to identify the perpetrators call into question her sense of fair play, integrity and sportsmanship. These ideals are fundamental to the Olympic games.

Harding's presence on the ice may or may not bother Nancy Kerrigan. It might give Kerrigan the mental edge, which she has lacked in other world competitions, she needs to grab the gold; it might not. But it's bothersome that this notoriety will take the spotlight away from athletes and events that deserve the attention.

And, frankly, Harding's presence reflects badly on America. Harding not only skates for herself -- she represents the red, white and blue. Oh, it will raise ratings, but at what cost to the Olympic integrity?

The Olympics date back to ancient Greece. The games -- held every four years -- were so important in Greek life that they were used as the basis for the calendar, according to the World Book. In modern times, the games date back to the turn of the century in Paris.

In a world wrought with politics and terrorism, the Olympics have not escaped unscathed. But despite it all, the Olympic flame burns bright. Winning those medals still means something for countries big and small.

We're ready to turn the world's attention to a small Norwegian town and some of the best athletes in the world. Let the games begin.