SUMMARY
- Oksana Masters earns her 10th Paralympic gold and 20th overall medal, becoming the most decorated US winter Paralympian in history.
- Both Americans shot a perfect 10-for-10 in biathlon, with the race outcome determined solely by skiing performance.
- Masters overcame surgery, a recent infection, and a concussion in the lead-up to the Games.
Val di Fiemme, Italy – Oksana Masters led a historic United States sweep in the women’s 7.5-kilometer sitting sprint on Saturday, claiming gold and securing the first medals of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics for Team USA.
Masters crossed the finish line in 21 minutes, 21.3 seconds, 16 seconds ahead of teammate Kendall Gretsch, who took silver. Germany’s Anja Wicker earned bronze.
Masters’ victory at Val di Fiemme marked her eighth Paralympic Games appearance and underscored her versatility across multiple sports, including Para cross country skiing, Para biathlon, Para cycling, and Para rowing.
Sharing the podium with Gretsch added personal significance. “It’s incredible to have one and two for the USA, not just with your country, but with your friend who pushes you on the range and on the course,” Masters said.
Born in Ukraine and adopted by an American father, Masters faced early-life challenges, including orphanages and congenital limb defects linked to the Chernobyl disaster.
She had her left leg amputated at age nine and right leg at 14. Masters began her Paralympic career in London 2012 in Para rowing, before expanding to winter sports in Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016.
Dr. Laura Thompson, professor of adaptive sports science at the University of Michigan, said Masters’ success highlights the physical and mental resilience required for multi-sport Paralympians.
“Competing at elite levels across both summer and winter sports demands an extraordinary ability to rebuild and adapt the body every few months,” Thompson said.
NBC Paralympics research notes Masters joins five other Americans with 20 or more medals across Summer and Winter Games, including Trischa Zorn and Jessica Long.
Her performance sets a benchmark for US Paralympic programs aiming to nurture versatile athletes.
| Athlete | Medal Count | Golds | Paralympic Appearances | Sports Competed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oksana Masters | 20 | 10 | 8 | Biathlon, Cross-country, Cycling, Rowing |
| Kendall Gretsch | 12 | 5 | 5 | Biathlon, Cross-country |
| Anja Wicker | 8 | 2 | 3 | Biathlon, Cross-country |
Masters continues to compete in individual Para biathlon events through Sunday in Val di Fiemme. Experts note her achievements demonstrate the evolving standards of US Paralympic performance and international competitiveness.
“She is redefining what it means to excel in multiple adaptive sports,” said Jonathan Edwards, US Paralympics director of athlete development.
“Masters’ career shows consistent excellence and commitment despite significant physical and health challenges.”
Masters’ milestone highlights the depth of talent in US winter sports and the growing impact of Paralympic athletes on global competition.
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