Oksana Masters

Oksana Masters is an American Paralympic athlete, born on June 19, 1989, in Khmelnitsky, Ukraine. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest Paralympians of all time. Masters began her Paralympic career as a rower before moving to cross-country skiing and cycling, where she has won multiple titles, including gold at the Paralympic Games.

Masters is known for her incredible endurance, strength, and versatility across different sports. She has won numerous individual awards, including the prestigious ESPY award, and holds multiple records, such as being the first United States athlete to win a Paralympic gold in biathlon.

Off the field, Masters is also recognized for her advocacy work, making significant contributions to raising awareness about disabilities and inspiring millions worldwide.

Rowing

• Early Career: Masters began her Paralympic career as a rower, participating in the 2012 London Paralympics and winning a bronze medal.

Cross-Country Skiing and Biathlon

• Transition and Success: Masters transitioned to cross-country skiing and biathlon in 2013. She won silver and bronze medals in the 2014 Sochi Paralympics and two golds, two silvers and a bronze in the 2018 Pyeongchang Paralympics, becoming the first American to win a Paralympic gold in biathlon.

Cycling

• New Challenges: Masters started competing in Para-cycling in 2014, seeking new challenges and diversifying her athletic career. She won the world championship in the Time Trial event in 2017 and a bronze medal in the Road Race event at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

United States Paralympic Team

• Debut: Made her debut for the United States in 2012.

Achievements:

• Paralympic Games: Winner of multiple medals across various sports, including rowing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, and cycling.
• Masters is one of the most versatile and successful athletes in the history of the Paralympic Games.

• Position: Primarily a cross-country skier and biathlete, but also excels as a rower and cyclist.
• Skills: Known for her incredible endurance, strength, and versatility across different sports. Masters is celebrated for her determination, resilience, and ability to overcome adversity.

• Family: Masters is in a relationship with fellow Paralympian Aaron Pike.
• Advocacy: Masters is involved in various advocacy activities, raising awareness about disabilities and promoting inclusivity in sports.

• Oksana Masters is celebrated not only for her extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for her resilience, determination, and versatility in Paralympic sports. Her impact on the sport and her status as an icon extend beyond the playing field, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

Most Medals in Paralympic Biathlon:

• First United States athlete to win a Paralympic gold in biathlon

World Championships in Para-cycling:

• Gold in the Time Trial event in 2017

ESPY Award:

• Winner of the Best Female Athlete with a Disability award in 2019

Books

• Masters, O. (2021) Oksana: My Own Story. New York: HarperCollins.

Websites

• International Paralympic Committee: Information about Oksana Masters’s international career and achievements. Available at: https://www.paralympic.org
• Team USA: Details about Masters’s career at the United States Paralympic Team. Available at: https://www.teamusa.org

Articles

• ESPN: Oksana Masters: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.espn.com
• The Guardian: Oksana Masters’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com

Interviews and Documentaries

• Oksana: Strength & Grace (2019): Directed by Ben Duffy. This documentary provides a detailed look at Masters’s life and career, featuring interviews with her family, friends, and colleagues.
• ESPN Interviews: Various interviews and features on Oksana Masters, covering different aspects of her career. Available at: https://www.espn.com