Early Life and Education of Oksana Masters: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Oksana Masters. From birth to education, explore key events.

Oksana Masters is a highly decorated American multi-sport Paralympic athlete, primarily known for rowing and cross-country skiing. She secured the first US medal in trunk and arms mixed double sculls at the 2012 London Paralympics. She participated in the 2014 and 2018 Winter Paralympics, earning two and five medals, respectively, including two golds in 2018. Following the 2012 Games, Masters transitioned to para-cycling, competing in the 2016 and 2020 Summer Paralympics, winning two gold medals in 2020. In the 2022 Winter Paralympics, she won gold in Biathlon - Women's 6 kilometers, sitting, demonstrating her versatility and success across various sports.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

June 19, 1989: Oksana Masters Born

On June 19, 1989, Oksana Masters was born in Louisville, Kentucky. She is an American multi-sport Paralympic athlete.

1989: Birth and Early Life

In 1989, Oksana Alexandrovna Bondarchuk, later known as Oksana Masters, was born in Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine. She was born with several radiation-induced birth defects and was abandoned by her parents, spending her early years in Ukrainian orphanages.

2001: Move to Louisville, Kentucky

In 2001, Oksana Masters moved to Louisville, Kentucky, when her mother took a faculty position at the University of Louisville.

2002: Began Adaptive Rowing

In 2002, Oksana Masters began adaptive rowing at age 13, shortly before her right leg was amputated. She continued afterward and began adaptive rowing competitively.

2008: Graduation from Atherton High School

In 2008, Oksana Masters graduated from Atherton High School in Louisville, Kentucky.

2012: Took Up Cross-Country Skiing

Following her medal win in rowing at the 2012 Paralympics, Masters took up cross-country skiing.

2012: Shift to Para-cycling and Cross Country Skiing

In 2012, Oksana Masters gave up competitive rowing since winning a bronze medal at the London Paralympics, due to a back injury. She has since taken up para-cycling and cross country skiing.

2012: Summer Paralympics and Career Diversification

In 2012, Oksana Masters won the first-ever United States medal in trunk and arms mixed double sculls at the London Summer Paralympics, earning a bronze medal. Following her medal win in rowing at the 2012 Paralympics, Masters took up cross-country skiing. Masters also gave up competitive rowing due to a back injury.

2012: Preparation for London Paralympic Games

In 2012, in preparation for the London Paralympic Games, Oksana Masters teamed with Rob Jones. They called themselves "Team Bad Company" and won both the Adaptive World Championships Trials and the Final Paralympic Qualification Regatta.

2012: Bronze Medal at London Paralympics

On September 2, 2012, at the London Paralympics, Oksana Masters and Rob Jones won the bronze medal in trunk and arms mixed double sculls, marking the first-ever United States medal in that event.

2014: Sochi Winter Paralympics Medals

At the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia, Oksana Masters won a silver medal in the 12 km Nordic and a bronze medal in the 5 km Nordic. She also placed fourth and eighth in two biathlon events. Masters sustained a back injury during this time and gave up rowing as a result. She took up cycling as part of the recovery process.

2014: Winter Paralympics

In 2014, Oksana Masters was part of the U.S. Nordic skiing team at the Winter Paralympics.

2016: Summer Paralympics

In 2016, Oksana Masters competed at the Summer Paralympics in para-cycling.

2018: Winter Paralympics

In 2018, Oksana Masters was part of the U.S. Nordic skiing team at the Winter Paralympics.

2018: First Paralympic Gold Medal and Multiple Medals at Winter Paralympics

In 2018, Oksana Masters won her first Paralympic gold medal at the Winter Paralympics in the cross-country skiing women's 1.5 km sprint classical event after experiencing multiple setbacks. She won five medals total from those Games, three in cross-country and two in biathlon.

2020: 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo

At the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo Oksana Masters finished first in the time trial and the road race, earning her first Paralympic gold medals at the Summer Games.

2020: Summer Paralympics

In 2020, Oksana Masters competed at the Summer Paralympics, winning two gold medals.

2020: Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability

In 2020, Oksana Masters won the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award.

2021: World Para Snow Sports Championships Medals

In 2021, Oksana Masters won the silver medal in the women's 6 km sitting biathlon event and the bronze medal in the women's 10 km sitting biathlon event at the World Para Snow Sports Championships held in Lillehammer, Norway. She also won the gold medal in the women's long-distance sitting event in cross-country skiing.

2022: Winter Paralympics Gold Medal

In 2022, Oksana Masters competed at the Winter Paralympics, winning a gold medal in Biathlon – Women's 6 kilometres, sitting.

2022: First Paralympic Gold Medal in Biathlon

In 2022, Oksana Masters won her first Paralympic gold medal in biathlon at the Winter Paralympics in the 6 km sitting biathlon event.

2024: 2024 Paris Paralympic Games

In the 2024 Paris Paralympic games, Masters again won double gold in the Women's H4-5 Individual Time Trial as well as the H5 road race. In the road race, Masters broke away in the final kilometer from a pack of 3 other riders to win.