Paralyzed gymnast seeks $1.8b in damages

Sang Lan taking eight defendants to court over horrific fall at 1998 Goodwill Games

NEW YORK - Lawyers representing Chinese gymnast Sang Lan, who was paralyzed in an accident at the 1998 Goodwill Games in New York, have admitted their demand for $1.8 billion in compensation may not be paid in full.

In the lawsuit they filed on behalf of Sang on Thursday in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, Sang is suing three people and five institutions. They include media mogul Ted Turner who founded the Goodwill Games, AOL Time Warner Inc, the US Gymnastics Federation, TIG Insurance Co and two legal guardians appointed to look after her following the accident.