Kristi Yamaguchi Tells Nancy Kerrigan, Once Attacked by Club-Wielding Man, to 'Break a Leg'

Nancy Kerrigan was attacked in 1994.

Former figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi is insisting she wasn’t trying to be cruel when she told Nancy Kerrigan to “break a leg” on “Dancing With the Stars.”

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Kerrigan is considered one of the frontrunners on the show’s new season. In a tweet sent by her fellow Olympic skater, Yamaguchi said, “So excited for you! Can't wait to see you grace that ballroom floor, break a leg!”

Kerrigan was attacked in 1994. Her rival Tanya Harding's ex-husband hired a man to club her in the leg in an effort to knock Kerrigan out of the Olympics.

Social media lit up like crazy in reaction to Yamaguchi's tweet.

“Why why why hasn’t this tweet been deleted?” wrote one jokester. Another posted a video of a cat looking shocked by the news. 

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Kerrigan and Yamaguchi, who won "Dancing With the Stars" in 2008, are actually close friends, and "break a leg" is a traditional showbiz expression for "good luck."

Yamaguchi said she was completely sincere in sending her well-wishes.

“Kristi loves Nancy and has nothing but respect for her,' her rep told Inside Edition. “No ill will was intended with the tweet."

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