Only child of Sergei and Marina Baiul. Her father abandoned the family when she was 2, and she began skating at 4. Her grandfather, grandmother, and mother all died within 3 years, and Oksana was alone at 13. She moved in with her new skating coach, and trained for the Ukranian National Championships and 1993 World Championships, both of which she won. In 1994, she won the Olympic gold medal, after injuring herself during a practice session. After the Olympics, she moved to the United States, and has skated in professional tours, such as Stars on Ice, since her Olympic victory. After a battle with alcohol, Oksana is now sober and training in Richmond, Virginia. She hopes to regain her amateur skating status and compete in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has written 2 books, "Oksana, My Own Story" and "Secrets of Skating".
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