Internationally acclaimed Olympian ice skater Oksana Baiul fought back tears as she addressed a couple hundred people gathered in front of Las Vegas City Hall. The weekend downtown gathering was organized to show support for the people of Ukraine as the nation continues to be attacked by Russian troops.
Oksana Baiul-Farina cheers for Ukraine, pictured above at lectern. She spoke at a pro-Ukrainian rally held Saturday at Las Vegas City Hall. At far right is her daughter, Sophia, who led a supportive shout for Ukraine. (Image: YouTube)Now married and using the name of , she resides in Nevada. In 1994, she won a gold medal at the Olympics representing the then-newly independent nation of . She has stayed in touch with loved ones in Ukraine.
When I am speaking to my Ukrainian skating friends, who are sitting in the bomb shelters, without food. They need a lot of food, water, medicine. They are in need of help,” Baiul-Farina told those gathered at city hall on Saturday.
She also told the crowd she is “so privileged” to live in the US. “But you have to all understand Ukraine is my land. It’s where I come from. It’s what I will always be, and I can’t forget that,” Baiul-Farina said.
“My heart is broken,” Baiul-Farina further told the crowd. “And it’s with the people of Ukraine.”
Daughter Joins in Shouting for UkraineAt one point, she introduced her young daughter, Sophia. The girl waved to the crowd. Later, she joined in the call, “United we stand.”
Upon hearing her daughter repeating the rallying cry, Baiul-Farina picked up the girl. She held her in her arms. At her mother’s request, Sophia at a microphone once again repeated, “United we stand.”
The crowd cheered. Then, Sophia led the crowd again in a cheer of “United we stand.”
The crowd yelled it out again.
Message to Ukrainian TroopsAt the close of her remarks, Baiul-Farina offered a message to the Ukrainian soldiers:
“We are here with you. We’re fighting for you. Please stay strong.”
