She brought Ukraine its first Olympic Gold – Now she brings Musicians from Ukraine’s Army to the United States

There are many facets to supporting Ukraine, and over the 34 years the Foundation has been in existence, we have learned over and over that education is a critical part of our work.

After all, throughout the existence of the Soviet Union there was little to no mention or understanding of Ukraine or the Ukrainian people, culture, language, or history.  “Soviet Union” and “Russia” were synonyms and if there was mention of Ukraine it was always “the Ukraine” understood to simply be a region of Russia.

Impressions slowly started to change when the People of Ukraine voted for independence at the end of 1991, and nations around the world began to establish diplomatic relations with Kyiv.

For Ukrainian-Americans and others following events closely in the early years of independent Ukraine, there are moments remembered when Ukraine received specific recognition.  One of those moments was during the 1994 Winter Olympics when teenager Oksana Baiul became the first Olympic Champion from Ukraine to compete under the Ukrainian flag. (Many others had won Olympic golds competing as members of the Soviet Olympic teams, sadly and incorrectly, always identified as Russia.)

Independent Ukraine was new to the Olympics in 1994, and – big surprise – the Olympic Committee didn’t expect anything from Ukraine.  So when the 17-year-old reigning World Champion from Ukraine won the gold medal, the Committee was totally and embarrassingly unprepared.  They had a flag but no national anthem.  

Luckily, someone in the crowd had a boombox (remember those) and the anthem, so when the Blue and Yellow was raised, Oksana and the world heard Šče ne vmerla Ukrainy і slava, і volia.

Oksana Serhiyivna Baiul-Farina now lives in Shreveport, Louisiana and actively supports Ukraine in many ways.

I am taking this opportunity to present an article from the Marshal News Messenger in East Texas announcing one of Oksana’s efforts. The article is about an upcoming concert in Jefferson, Texas (If you have never been to Jefferson, it is worth the trip.)  This is one of several concerts Oksana has arranged, including in Shreveport.

The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation is proud to join several other organizations that support Oksana’s efforts.

Indeed, Oksana has indicated she will join Friends of Ukraine Network member General Philip Breedlove and myself in Longview, Texas, later this month and then join me when I speak in Jefferson.

THE MARSHAL NEWS MESSENGER

Jefferson benefit to host Olympian Oksana Baiul, Ukraine's Cultural Forces music group

Friends of the Arts Jefferson will host Ukrainian music group Cultural Forces and Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist Oksana for a free concert on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 501 East Jefferson St., Jefferson.

Baiul will be in attendance to welcome guests and introduce Cultural Forces. The Jefferson performance is being organized by Friends of the Arts Jefferson, the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation and Razom for Ukraine.

Cultural Forces, the cultural arm of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, brings seven world class artists, professional musicians before the war, now active-duty soldiers, for a music tour in the United States. The 60-day-long tour across the Southeast, South, and West Coast states will thank the American people for their thoughts and action for Ukraine at war.

World class musicians, Ukraine’s brightest talents, participated in some of the fiercest battles of the war. Several were wounded but after recovery returned to active duty. The group is composed of two bandura players, an opera singer, a violinist, a pianist, a country singer and a poet.

Baiul is the first Olympic Champion from Ukraine under the Ukrainian flag in any sport. After winning the gold medal in 1994, Baiul decided to move to the United States and participate in professional ice-skating tours and shows. She followed one of her coaches to Connecticut. Later, she also became involved in a variety of TV appearances, and benefit skates. She has lived in the United States since 1994. In 1997, she published two books, a memoir about her life and one on skating. Today she is married to Carlo J Farina and has 9-year-old.

ROBERT MCCONNELL
Co-Founder, U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, Director of External Affairs, Friends of Ukraine Network

The introduction is Mr. McConnell’s and does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation or the Friends of Ukraine Network (FOUN).