Oksana Baiul (born November 16, 1977) is a Ukrainian former competitive figure skater. She is the 1993 World champion and the 1994 Olympic champion in ladies' singles.
I want kids to enjoy skating and I think it's a great workout.
First, I have to thank God for giving me the gift that he did as well as a second chance for a better life.
I will try to make a doll of Oksana with a little dog.
I started taking ballet lessons when I was three and a half and I still take dance classes.
And still I'm not completely happy with my skating. I always feel I can do more and climb higher.
One of my favorite vacation places is Miami, because of the people, the water and the beach - of course - and the architecture on Miami Beach is so wonderful.
I don't care what the critics say or think because I care for and love my fans.
I took some time off to enjoy my life, but figure skating is something I love and something I will continue doing for the rest of my life.
I wish I could compete again, but my good feeling is, these competitions are better as exhibitions.
Professional competitions are overrated.
My weaknesses are my jumps. The reason is that although I land them in practice, when I actually compete or perform, I should let my body go and stabilize my mind better. Also, I need to work on not letting negative thoughts and emotions get to me on the ice.
Pairs skating and singles are two different things. Although some skaters have achieved this successfully, it is a very difficult transition. You're looking at double work.
No, I'm not coaching. It's a huge responsibility to coach somebody.
Now, I don't make decisions as fast as I used to.
Olympic Gold changed me and my life dramatically. I became a celebrity overnight and people see me as a famous skater, not a real person.
I have a lot of different stages in my life when training has been easy or hard. Now, it seems that I have been training for so long that it has become almost second nature to me.
Also, I gained lots of weight between ages 18-20 because I was drinking alcohol at night. Alcohol has lots of calories and that does not help.
I'd like to consider myself a versatile skater and I like to skate to different kinds of music.
my mother will never leave me. We're together. She will always stay in my heart.
. . . Competitive Skaters must be prepared for a lot of work, challenges, self-discipline, and motivation. The desire must be there, but more importantly, your love for the sport.