Oksana Baiul: “Having gone to hell and back, I didn’t turn into some crap who moved to Russia to work and just sits silently. They all run to Putin, asking him for money for shows, grants. Blood money? For me — yes.”
Oksana Baiul on realization of being Ukrainian, money and propositions to work in Russia.
original source: Dmitri Gordon’s Youtube Channel
Ukrainian figure skater Oksana Baiul, who competed in women’s singles and became the first Olympic champion from Ukraine in 1994, in the interview with Olesia Batsman spoke about wealth, propositions to work in Russia and realization that she is truly Ukrainian. Here’s a translation of some comments.
“Q: When you moved to the USA, a different life began — a luxurious one. You had a lot of advertising contracts, very expensive, million-dollar ones. So, you became a millionaire?
Oksana Baiul: You know, I became a millionaire on paper. But in my soul, I am already a billionaire. I feel like a person who has achieved and received what they aspired to. As a child, I wanted to become an Olympic champion — I got that. I have a wonderful family, a wonderful husband, and a little daughter, whom I hope to take to my mother’s grave.
Every evening, I come and tell myself: ‘Lord, money isn’t the most important thing. The most important thing is to have people around you who can support you in a difficult moment.’ And life sometimes has its fair share of difficult moments. I come and tell myself that I can sleep peacefully. I look at myself and understand that having gone to hell and back, I didn’t turn into some crap who moved to Russia to work and just sits silently. For me, this is an indicator of a person. And it doesn’t matter how much money they have. What’s important is who they are inside. That’s why I always thank God for everything I have.”
In an interview, Oksana mentioned that was offered to work in Russia but she refused.
“Oksana Baiul: In 2006, I was offered to work with Russia, but I declined. Why did I decline? Because I was completely dissatisfied with everything. Everything! I went on tour with Ilia Averbukh, and they brought me money in an envelope. I said, ‘Guys, how am I supposed to get this through customs? What are you thinking?’ I’m not some person who stuffs dollars in their socks and sneaks through customs. I was absolutely dissatisfied with everything. I arrived at Red Square in winter, and it was bitterly cold!
They offered to produce shows with Ilia Averbukh, and do this and that. For me, what now exists in the figure skating business in Russia… Navka and all the athletes run to Putin, asking him for money for shows, grants, this and that. Blood money? For me — yes. That’s why I refused to work with Russia. They kept calling me periodically: ‘So? Will you come to “Ice Age”?’ I said, ‘No, I won’t.’ They were angry. But what can I do if I don’t want to perform in ‘Ice Age’? I just don’t want to!”
She also shared how she came to realize that she was truly Ukrainian. This realization dawned on her on February 25, 2022 — the day after Russian invaded Ukraine.
“Oksana Baiul: We were warned in America that there would be a conflict between Putin and Ukraine. Like anyone else, you watch the news… But I didn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe it! That something like this could happen…
I remember the next day I went out to a café with my daughter, and my heart was just pounding. And I realized that I was on the side of Ukraine. You never betray your homeland and mother. And at that moment, I understood that I am Ukrainian.
Until that moment, I couldn’t understand or admit it to myself… After all, I don’t even speak Ukrainian… But I understand that my heart is with the Ukrainian people, with the people of Ukraine. And at that moment, you realize that you are with Ukraine. I won the Olympic games skating for Ukraine, and the flag was raised in honor of Ukraine…”
Related topics: Oksana Baiul
Good for her for not taking russian blood money. She made the right decision. All the negative comments are upset russians. Shame they can’t criticize putin the way they criticize her.
Wow, she is complaining it was cold in Moscow during winter;) Gordon who published the interview is rasist, hates all Russians, while selling his chocolates in Russia and getting the bloody Russian money.
Oh brother…spouting nonsense. Realized she was ‘truly Ukrainian’ after Russia invaded Ukraine, my Lord, spare me. Gone woke, gone western, gone American, gone politicized. We are all products of our age, what people tell us to believe. Doesn’t care about the money, but what was that first part about being a millionaire in America, and feeling it in her soul? This is just how ridiculous and contrary she is, she can’t think. They will say whatever wins the crowds…