Olympic gold medalist Oksana Baiul has reached the end of a painful legal chapter, with a court granting primary custody of her young daughter to her estranged husband and former manager.
A Lengthy and Devastating Journey
The figure skating icon finalized her divorce from Carlo Farina on Monday, January 8, 2026, according to reports. The settlement allows Farina to relocate from Louisiana to Las Vegas with their 10-year-old daughter, Sophia. Baiul expressed the difficulty of the process in a heartfelt Facebook post, calling it a "lengthy and often devastating journey." She emphasized that when a child is involved, they "must be the priority."
Contentious Claims and Final Agreement
The divorce proceedings were marked by serious allegations from both sides. In his filing, Farina claimed the couple separated in 2022 and accused Baiul of alcohol abuse and being a compulsive liar. Baiul countered, stating the split occurred in June 2025 and alleging harassment and manipulation by Farina. She initially sought joint custody.
The dispute was reportedly settled in October 2025. The final agreement stipulates that neither party will pay spousal support and Baiul will not pay child support. However, as part of the terms, Baiul agreed to enroll in anger management classes and will undergo alcohol and drug testing.
Baiul's Recent Struggles and Legacy
The custody battle coincides with a challenging period for the skating champion. In September 2025, Baiul announced she was forced to sell her US$1.2-million mansion in Shreveport, Louisiana, after a planned skating school failed to materialize. "I have to go where the ice exists," she stated at the time.
Baiul shot to fame at just 16 years old, winning the ladies' singles gold medal for Ukraine at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. She married Carlo Farina in 2012, and their daughter was born in June 2015. Farina is the CEO of the "Champions on Ice" tour, which has a residency in Las Vegas.
In a follow-up statement, Baiul asked for public understanding, saying her choices were made in her daughter's best interest and pleading for "the grace to move forward in a positive manner."
