Oksana Masters’s life is nothing short of amazing! As the most decorated U.S. Winter Paralympian ever, she’s racked up an impressive 17 Paralympic medals across both the Winter and Summer Games. While she’s known for her skills in para-biathlon and cross-country skiing during the winter, her journey actually started with para-rowing, where she won a bronze medal at the London 2012 Games.

But Oksana Masters faced a back injury that changed her path. Ultimately, she discovered her love for para-cycling and really made a splash there, too! Oksana’s story is truly inspiring—growing up in a Ukrainian orphanage and then becoming a known figure for Team USA. What a journey! Well, Masters’ story is widely recognized among U.S. Paralympic sports fans.

Born in Ukraine, she was affected by the Chornobyl disaster’s radiation, leading to disabilities including tibial hemimelia. At eight, she was adopted by Gay Masters from an orphanage.

By 14, Oksana Masters had both legs amputated above the knee and underwent surgeries to adapt her fingers into functioning thumbs. But at that time she got support from her mom. Masters reflects with Olympics.com on three pivotal moments in her life when she felt truly saved. Adopted from Ukraine, she credits her mother for saving her first by bringing her to the United States, where doctors had once predicted she wouldn’t live past ten. As she puts it, “My mom saved my life, literally, from Ukraine because they told her I wasn’t supposed to live past 10 years old.”

Her mother played a crucial role again by introducing her to the world of sports, which would become a transformative force in her life. Through sports, Masters discovered the path to self-love and acceptance, realizing that this newfound passion had saved her in a profound way.

However, sports were not something Oksana Masters ever saw herself pursuing. The idea of becoming an athlete, let alone a Paralympian, seemed impossible; in her words, “And also I’m missing my legs. How on earth can I be an athlete?” But with her mother’s encouragement, she began Para rowing at 13, shortly after her second leg amputation. Finding herself on the water, Masters felt a sense of belonging and healing she had never experienced before.

Sport became her therapy, helping her heal mentally from the scars that weren’t visible. This foundation of love for the sport, rooted in healing rather than competition, eventually led her to an extraordinary athletic career—earning seven gold, seven silver, and three bronze medals across six Paralympic Games in three different sports. As Masters prepares for her seventh Paralympics in Paris 2024, a hint of apprehension still lingers beneath her determination.

Oksana Masters gears up for the third Paralympic Para Cycling Challenge

In Paris, Oksana Masters is set to make her mark for the third time in para-cycling, competing in the H5 hand-cycling category. She’ll tackle both the H4-5 women’s time trial and the H5 women’s road race. Excitement bubbles up for the U.S. star as she prepares to race in front of passionate fans in a country renowned for its cycling culture. France, home to the prestigious Tour de France, is a place where cycling is more than a sport—it’s a way of life.

Beyond the racing circuit, Masters expanded her horizons by becoming a published author last year. Her memoir, released in February 2023, played a significant role in her healing journey, offering a fresh perspective she’s eager to share. Masters reflected, “Just live in the moment and see each day and take the things that went well, focus on the things you want to improve and do not limit yourself and never count yourself out.” It’s all about turning life’s lemons into lemonade and making the most of every challenge.