Oksana Masters

“That's what I'm focused on, having that perfect race.”

“It doesn't matter what kind of body you have, it's the determination and the spirit that's going to get you there. I want to prove that.”

“I'm a coffee lover.”

“They said if I stayed in the orphanage for another month or so, I basically would not have been able to be alive.”

“I could use a little more body, but I'm happy with it.”

“I was born with legs, but they were so deformed.”

“I don't know why, but I love sunflowers, and I just have this vivid memory of being in a field of sunflowers and how they felt like trees. They felt so tall.”

“I'm chasing that gold medal.”

“I was a super active kid, so I've always been aware of where my body is in space, and I think when I had my legs amputated, it makes you more aware of your body, and because I don't use my legs, I use more of my hands.”

“I never thought I'd be able to go back to Ukraine.”

“In 2013, I had the chance to try cross-country skiing on snow and just fell in love with being in nature and how hard it was to pick up the sport. And the snow is sparkly.”

“I absolutely fell in love with being on the water and the peace and freedom that you get being on the water in a single boat.”

“I wear my prosthetics legs every day, and when I train in the gym, I call them my Lamborghini, because both legs and sockets, which extend up to my hips to keep the legs on via a suction seal, cost about $305,815.”

“Cycling's primarily a pushing motion, and skiing is more pulling, so it kind of balances out the body.”

“With cycling, I can still be active and compete, and ultimately, that's what I love to do, to be competitive.”

“I was missing the main weight-bearing bone in both legs. And the left leg, I didn't have a full knee. It was a floating knee. I had six toes. My hands were webbed, and I also have one kidney. I don't have a full bicep on my right side. Thank God my hair didn't get ruined.”

“I am so happy I have been able to channel all the things that I went through when I was younger and make them into something positive.”

“It's insane going from skiing to cycling. Even though you are in prime shape, you feel like you have never worked out a day in your life.”

“I'm a person that, once I start something, I can't just quit it.”

“You don't get any second chances.”