OKSANA MASTERS - Iconic Speech

In anticipation of the upcoming 2021 Laureus World Sports Awards we’re taking a look back at some of the most iconic speeches from winners in the history of the event.

Born with deformities caused by radiation from Chernobyl, Oksana Masters was adopted at seven from an orphanage in Ukraine. She had a superb 2019, winning five gold medals and a silver at the World Para Nordic Skiing Championships, plus the cross-country overall World Cup title. She also won silver medals in the road race and time trial H5 at the Para Cycling Road World Championships.


After a spectacular year, she was presented with the 2020 Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award by Eliud Kipchoge and Tony Hawk.


“To any girl or boy, if you guys look different or you think you look different, never let society determine what you see when you look in the mirror and never let them determine the preconception of what they think is possible”

said Oksana Masters.

She was joined on stage by her mum, Gay Masters, who said, “She has overcome so much, I’m just incredibly proud of her and I know she’s not done. So thank you for recognising her and every person with a disability”.

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