Paralympian 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024
9
GOLD
7
SILVER
3
BRONZE
5'8"
35
Louisville, KY
Devry University
classification: WH5, LW12, Mixed TA Double
Specialty: Sitting cross-country skiing, road time trial H4-5 and road race H5
Oksana Masters is an American multi-sport athlete and Paralympic medalist, specializing in cross-country skiing, cycling and rowing. She was born in Ukraine where the Chernobyl events were suspected to play a role in birth defects affecting her hands and legs.
She became interested in rowing at the age of 13 and started competing, quickly excelling in the sport.
Masters has shared her inspirational journey through her book, "The Hard Parts: A Story of Courage and Triumph," which was published on Feb. 21, 2023. She won the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award in 2020 and was the first Para athlete to ever earn a nomination in the Best Athlete, Women's Sports for the ESPYS.
Masters studied Management at DeVry University through the USOPC Career and Education program.
Masters earned a bronze medal in the Trunk and Arms Mixed Double Sculls (TA) event at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. This achievement marked her as the first American to earn a medal in this category, setting the stage for her career in sports.
During the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games, Masters won a silver medal in the Women's 12-kilometer sitting and a bronze medal in the women's 5-kilometer sitting events, marking her debut in Paralympic cross-country skiing.
At the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Games, she won gold medals in both the 1.5-kilometer sprint classic sitting and the 5-kilometer sitting events and secured a bronze medal in the 12-kilometer sitting event. During the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games, Masters earned silver medals in the 15-kilometer sitting, 1.5-kilometer sprint sitting and 10-kilometer sitting events.
After being introduced to rowing at the age of 13, Oksana fell in love with the sport. She met her rowing partner Rob Jones in 2011 and was named U.S. Rowing’s Female Athlete of the Year in 2012. Masters faced a setback due to a back injury, which ultimately prevented her from continuing to compete in rowing events. She started Nordic skiing in 2013 and hand cycling in 2014.
The two-time Paralympic medalist has been nearly unbeatable on the road and stellar on the track since her 2022 return.
Oksana Masters is a 17-time Paralympic medalist in both summer and winter sports. Born in Ukraine, Masters spent many of her early years between orphanages before being adopted in the U.S. In Sports As Therapy With Oksana Masters, Oksana speaks about h...
Oksana Masters is a 17-time Paralympic medalist in both summer and winter sports. Born in Ukraine, Masters spent many of her early years between orphanages before being adopted in the U.S. In Sports As Therapy: Athlete Voices With Oksana Masters, Oksan...
Vogt and teammate Saige Harper will represent Team USA in the PR3 mixed double sculls event in Paris.
U.S. women (and one mixed team) shined in 2023 with world titles, record-breaking performances and some notable firsts.
