American star Oksana Masters wins 7th H4-5 time trial title in paracycling

Ukrainian-born American star Oksana Masters won a seventh Paralympic title, her third in para-cycling, in the H4-5 time trial on Wednesday in Clichy-sous-Bois. In this category, which includes paraplegic cyclists with a functional trunk and paraplegics, amputees or those with cerebral palsy, the 35-year-old para-cyclist retains her title acquired in Tokyo.

Born in Ukraine, a few hundred kilometers from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, victim of multiple malformations, she was abandoned at birth and spent the first years of her life in orphanages.

She suffered violence and abuse there before finally being adopted by an American woman, Gay Masters, who saved her life. Already crowned at the Winter Games in biathlon in Beijing in 2022 and in cross-country skiing in Pyeongchang in 2018, she had also won bronze in rowing in 2012 in London.

In Paris, she will also be involved in the H5 road race and the team relay. “For me it’s not just about winning a gold medal. If I’m lucky enough to get on the podium, I’ll donate my winnings to a charity, like I did in Beijing.”she had promised before the Games.