Oksana is a female name of Slavic origin, meaning "Praise Be To God." It is a popular name in Ukraine and Russia, with a close equivalent being the Russian name Kseniya. The name is thought to originate from the Greek words Xenia (hospitality) or Xenos (stranger), and it also has alternative spellings like Oxana and Aksana. Notable individuals with this name include Oksana Baiul, a Ukrainian Olympic figure skater, and Oksana Akinshina, a Russian actress. The name has also been featured in fictional characters such as Oxana Vorontsova in the novel "Codename Villanelle" and Oksana in the television series "Killing Eve." Overall, Oksana is a meaningful and culturally significant name with a rich history and widespread popularity in Slavic-speaking regions.
Oksana Oleksandrivna Masters, born on June 19, 1989, is an American Paralympic athlete known for her remarkable achievements in multiple sports. Hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, she has excelled in rowing, cross-country skiing, and para-cycling. Notably, Masters secured the first-ever United States medal in trunk and arms mixed double sculls at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London. Her journey continued with remarkable success, including two Paralympic medals in 2014 and five in 2018, where she clinched two gold medals. Transitioning to para-cycling, she displayed exceptional prowess, securing two gold medals at the 2020 Summer Paralympics. In the 2022 Winter Paralympics, she claimed another gold medal in the Biathlon – Women's 6 kilometers, sitting event, solidifying her status as a Paralympic star. Notably, she was honored with the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability in 2020. Masters' life story is one of immense resilience, as she overcame challenging beginnings in Ukraine, where she was born with several radiation-induced birth defects and endured a tumultuous upbringing in orphanages before being adopted by an American professor. Her indomitable spirit and extraordinary athletic achievements continue to inspire countless individuals worldwide.
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