At the age of 16, Ukrainian figure skater Oksana Baiul won a gold medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics with her “Swan Lake” short program, becoming the youngest female gold medalist at the time. Afterwards, she moved to the United States to become a professional skater — a journey that would be fraught with challenges and renewal.

After settling in Connecticut, Baiul struggled with an alcohol addiction and entered rehab in 1998, eventually recovering and becoming a promoter of ice skating. She started a clothing line for skaters in 2002, participated in ice shows, and appeared on TV programs, eventually marrying her manager, Carlo Farina, and moving to Las Vegas to start skating shows with him.

Baiul has been outspoken and active regarding the recent crises in her native country, Ukraine. She organized and spoke at a rally in support of Ukraine days after the 2022 invasion started, and is currently working with her husband to help fellow athletes and Ukrainian citizens escape the war.