American Paralympic legend Oksana Masters has achieved another historic milestone at the Milan Cortina Games, capturing her third gold medal in just four events and equaling her remarkable performance from the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics. With this latest victory, her total Paralympic medal count now stands at an astounding 22, solidifying her status as the most decorated American Winter Paralympian in history.
A Dominant Performance in Para Cross-Country
On Wednesday, Masters triumphed in the Para cross-country 10km interval start sitting race, adding another gold to her growing collection. This win follows her gold medal in the cross-country sprint on Tuesday and the Para biathlon sprint on Saturday. Her only setback came on Sunday, where she narrowly missed the podium with a fourth-place finish in the Para biathlon individual sitting event.
Matching Past Glory and Setting New Goals
Wednesday's achievement allowed Masters to equal the three gold medals she won at the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympic Games. Reflecting on her success, she expressed both personal ambition and excitement for the sport's growth. "I didn't even think about that, but oh my gosh!" she exclaimed. "The competitor in me wants to keep pushing, to find out how many golds I can get from one Games. But at the same time, I am so excited to see the sport growing. Younger athletes are coming up, they're helping me to get better, and I'm so excited to share this podium with my teammate Kendall Gretsch. Hopefully we can continue to go the same way again."
A Staggering Career Across Seasons
Masters now boasts eight Winter Paralympic gold medals, complemented by four victories at the Summer Paralympics. Since her debut in 2012, she has competed in every Games, earning medals in diverse disciplines: Para cross-country and Para biathlon in the winter, and Para cycling and Para rowing in the summer. In total, she has won 17 medals in the Winter Games and five in the Summer Games.
"I'm just so proud to be able to bring home another gold for Team USA," Masters said. "When you line up, you do everything you can. I know my team helped me with the skis, the prep, the nutrition, sports psychology and everything, and it's just for me to go and execute, and nothing's a given. I had to fight."
Overcoming Adversity and Inspiring Others
The 36-year-old athlete's triumphs are even more remarkable given her challenging season, which included surgery, a bone infection, and a concussion. Born in Ukraine with birth defects believed to be linked to the Chernobyl nuclear accident, Masters spent her early years in orphanages before being adopted by an American mother. She underwent the amputation of her left leg at age 9 and her right leg at age 14, yet she has risen above these obstacles to become a Paralympic icon.
American Success Extends Beyond Masters
In another highlight for Team USA, fellow American Sydney Peterson won the women's 10km interval start classic standing race, securing her first individual Paralympic gold medal. "It's really cool. I feel like I've been second and third a lot, so winning an individual gold is amazing," Peterson said. "It was pretty exciting. I have not won a lot of races. Prior to this season, I had not won a race before, so it's really cool. This season I'm able to get to the start line and be healthy, which is awesome."
As the Milan Cortina Games continue, Oksana Masters' legacy grows stronger with each race, inspiring athletes and fans worldwide with her resilience, dedication, and unparalleled success on the Paralympic stage.
