Oksana Masters exemplifies everything the Paralympics stand for
If there is a poster person for the Paralympics, Oksana Masters would be it. The Paralympics 2026 recently wrapped up on March 15th after a ten-day stint in Milan Cortina, Italy. Masters emerged as the most decorated American Winter Paralympian, earning 24 medals total in her Paralympics career to date. Even more impressive, Oksana is one of a select class of multi-sport athletes who compete in both the Winter and Summer Paralympics Games.
This year’s Paralympics took the stage on the heels of the Olympics 2026 in Milan Cortina. The spectacle featured more than 600 athletes from 55 nations competing across 79 medal events in six sports, including para-alpine skiing, para biathlon, para cross-country skiing, para ice hockey, para snowboard and wheelchair curling.
A Unique History
Born in Ukraine, Masters is believed to be a victim of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster which occurred in 1986, resulting in radiation induced birth defects. She did not have an easy nor typical childhood. Oksana spent her early childhood in three Ukrainian orphanages before being adopted by Gay Masters, a mother from Louisville, Kentucky who would become an integral part of her life.
She moved to the United States in 1997. Because of increasing pain, she would have her left leg amputated above the knee when she was just 9 years old, and her right leg at 14. Oksana began adaptive rowing when she was 13, before her second amputation. In 2010, she competed at the CRASH-B Sprints and set a world-record.
The Paralympics stand on their own merit, a global phenomenon that is neither a secondary event or a consolation prize to the Olympic Games. They are, in their own right, one of the most compelling and inspiring sporting events the world has to offer.
Time.com
Oksana Masters
Masters launched her Paralympic journey in Para rowing at the London 2012 Games. She shifted to a winter sport two years later, competing in Para skiing at Sochi 2014. Thereafter, Oksana participated in every summer and winter Paralympics to date. Although Oksana had to give up rowing due to a persistent back injury, she decided to give hand cycling a shot, and just missed the podium in 2016. However, that was all the ammunition needed; she has medaled at every other Paralympics cycling event since.
Oksana Masters earns gold in the women’s biathlon
Fast forward to the 2026 Winter Paralympics. In her first event, Oksana Masters won the gold in the women’s 7.5 km sitting biathlon, securing her 20th career Paralympic medal. It would be the first of four medals at the 2026 Games.
Masters finished with a historic victory in the 7.5 km sitting biathlon and a time of 21:21.3 which was 16 seconds ahead of teammate Kendall Gretsch who won the silver.
The Para Biathlon combines the physical endurance challenge of cross-country skiing and the precision of target shooting. The event debuted in the 1988 Innsbruck Paralympic Games for athletes with physical disabilities. Uniquely, skiers travel a distance of 7.5 and must use a rifle to shoot and hit targets at designated points along the course. Accordingly, penalties are given when athletes miss.
Six sports feature 79 medal events
Besides the Para Biathlon, athletes compete in five other disciplines at the Winter Paralympics Games for a total of 79 medal events. The venues included Cortina D’Ampezzo, Milano, Tesero and Verona, Italy.
Para Alpine Skiing consists of 30 medal events across sitting, standing and visually impaired categories. Alternately, Cross Country Skiing includes 20 events across both individual and relay races.
Para Snowboarding has six men’s events and two women’s competitions. Importantly, there are classifications for upper and lower limb impairments. Para Ice Hockey also referred to as Sled Hockey has one single tournament. It was Team USA that sledded the most skillfully to win the gold in a defeat against Canada 6-2. Ultimately, it was the fifth consecutive Paralympics Games win for the U.S. players.
Wheelchair Curling rounds out the six sports which boasts two mixed-gender tournaments with mixed doubles debuting this year.
Why watching the Paralympics matters
Two weeks before the 2026 Paralympics began, Oksana wrote an insightful and heartfelt article for Time called “Why watching the Paralympics matters.” She beautifully and honestly describes misconceptions about the athletes while describing what the Paralympics are all about.
Masters’ applauds world class athletes that redefine the boundaries of what is possible through passion and dedication. Additionally, with innovation in the mix it is possible to “overcome any perceived limitation.”
Imagine learning to ski competitively on a machine or with equipment that must be custom-built for your body and then imagine winning gold on it.
Time.com
When you watch a Paralympian race, you’re seeing sports at its most pure and analytical.
Oksana Masters
Oksana encourages readers to show up because “visibility builds belief. And belief builds futures.” Seeing is definitely believing, and if you caught a glimpse of the 2026 Winter Paralympics Games you know that’s a fact. Therefore, show up and make future Paralympics Games the events that they deserve to be.
If you missed out on this year’s Winter Paralympics Games, don’t fret. Stay informed and stay tuned so that you don’t miss what’s coming next: The 2028 L.A. Summer Paralympics Games which will run August 15 – 27. Events will be spread out through over 15 zones in the Los Angeles area, including Long Beach, Inglewood, Venice and more. Save the date!
Follow Oksana Masters on Instagram.
(Editor’s note 3/23/26: The original article stated that Oksana Masters was adopted by an American father. Actually, she was adopted by a mother, Gay Masters.).
