Olympics News:

Oksana Masters Wins First Gold Medal for United States 

Written by Edda Bevilacqua

Oksana Masters of the United States won the first gold medal for her country at the Milan-Cortina Paralympics, winning the women’s sitting biathlon sprint competition. Her teammate, Kendall Gretsch, took the silver. The medal was the 20th of Masters’ career and her tenth gold medal, making her the most decorated United States Paralympian of all time.

Masters said of her victory, “My emotions are just pure shock. I did not expect a podium finish, to be honest, let alone a gold. It means the world to me.”

Masters, 36, was born in Ukraine with birth defects believed to be related to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. She had both legs amputated above the knee by age fourteen. She is currently dealing with health challenges as she competes in Milan-Cortina, including a recent surgery, a bone infection and a concussion.