U.S. Paralympian Oksana Masters is no stranger to the international spotlight. Going into the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing as a four-time gold medalist. Masters is also in the spotlight for reasons unrelated to sports.

These are the sixth Paralympic Games Masters is competing in. Competing in every Summer and Winter Paralympics since 2012. Winning bronze in rowing in her 2012 debut. She won gold in Tokyo last summer and in PyeongChang in 2018. Her gold medal in cycling last year marked the fourth sport she’s won a medal in.

This year, Masters will compete in cross-country skiing and biathlon. Events she won gold, silver and bronze medals in four years ago. Winning gold in two cross-country events and a bronze. Along with silver in two biathlon events in PyeongChang. Masters’ five medals in 2018 comprise half of her overall medal haul.

Masters was born in Ukraine while it was part of the Soviet Union. Born with leg damage caused by radiation exposure from the Chernobyl nuclear reactor incident. Both of her legs were amputated by the time she was attending Louisville’s Atherton High School. She grew up orphanages during Ukraine’s initial years of independence. Enduring abuse while living in those orphanages. Before being adopted and raised in Louisville when she was eight.

Now Masters will compete while Ukraine is being invaded by Russia. The country she competed in during the 2014 Winter Paralympics. Where she won silver and bronze in Nordic Skiing. Masters expressed her sorrow over the invasion of Ukraine. In a recent social media post in the lead up to the games.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is having a significant impact on international sports. Ukraine’s Paralympic team is taking part in the Paralympics. Featured in the parade of nations during today’s opening ceremony. Meanwhile, Russia has been suspended or banned from various competitions. Ranging from the upcoming FIFA World Cup to tennis. While also losing the opportunity to host the UEFA Champions League Final among other events.

Hours before the opening ceremony, Russia and their ally Belarus were barred from the Paralympics. Reversing from a plan announced earlier in the week. To allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutral athletes. That plan was widely criticized by athletes and led to threats of boycotts. Leading the International Paralympic Committee to reverse course Thursday.

Meanwhile, Russia’s invasion led the International Olympic Committee to act. Albeit in its increasingly familiar mealy-mouthed manner. The IOC encouraged sporting organizations to ban Russia from international events. After Russian athletes took part in the Winter Olympics. Where Russia took a dump on the tradition of the Olympic truce. Waiting less than a week after the Winter Olympics concluded to invade Ukraine. While the Kamilia Valieva doping controversy renewed concerns about Russian athletes doping.

Both joined along with Olympic/Paralympic host nation China’s human rights abuses. Overshadowed and prompted many to tune out last month’s Winter Olympics. Biting the IOC after it spent years appeasing Russia as much as it could. For the sake of preserving political neutrality and raking in increasingly worthless rubles. Instead of holding Russia more accountable over their doping problems. Along with years of aggression aimed at Ukraine. The IOC waited until it was inconvenient for them to continue with their previous status quo.

All leaving the IOC’s strongly worded statements condemning Russia. As too little too late in the eyes of many. While the Paralympics are left to deal with the immediate fallout. As the Paralympic aspirations of Russian and Belarusian athletes get squashed this year. Due to the actions of the despots running those countries.

Amid all of this, Oksana Masters will strive onward. Along with her fellow U.S. Paralympians during and beyond the games. Showcasing the grit that makes Masters one of America’s best multi-sports athletes. Grit that also powers Ukraine, the United States and the world to persevere. Through the challenges life throws our way. Masters’ first competition is the women’s sprint sitting biathlon tonight. Coverage begins at 9 PM Eastern on USA and nbcolympics.com.