Athletes for Freedom Foundation

Oksana Masters is a name that resonates with triumph over adversity. As the most decorated para-athlete in history, her journey to the pinnacle of sports is nothing short of miraculous. Born in 1989 in Ukraine, Oksana came into the world with severe physical deformities, a consequence of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Her legs had no bones, her hands were webbed with missing thumbs, and her left leg was shorter than her right. On top of that, she was born without a kidney, parts of her stomach, and with various other medical issues. These challenges led her birth parents to abandon her, leaving her to grow up in Ukrainian orphanages. [caption id="attachment_657" align="aligncenter" width="690"]

The 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris brought together athletes from around the world who refused to let anything stand in their way. Over 11 days of intense competition, these remarkable individuals demonstrated that even in the face of immense challenges, there is no limit to what the human spirit – and body – can achieve. Unforgettable Performances on the World Stage In the track and field events, the world watched as Brazil’s Petrúcio Ferreira once again showed why he’s considered one of the fastest Paralympians, clinching gold in the T47 100 meters. Meanwhile, Dutch wheelchair racer Diede de Groot proved her dominance on the court by defending her gold medal in women’s wheelchair tennis, leaving fans in awe. The Paris Games also featured historic firsts. Zakia Khudadadi won the Refugee Paralympic Team's first-ever medal with a bronze in Para Taekwondo in the ...

Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, 33, has tragically passed away after being set on fire by her boyfriend in Kenya. The attack, which resulted in burns covering over 75% of her body, marks yet another horrific incident of violence against female athletes in the region. Cheptegei, who competed in the Paris Olympics, died Thursday morning at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya. This devastating loss follows a disturbing trend of violence against women in Kenya, where nearly 34% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence. "This tragedy is a stark reminder that we must do more to combat gender-based violence in our society," said Kenyan Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, echoing the growing call for action. Uganda's athletics federation and Olympic Committee have also demanded justice for Cheptegei, condemning the persistent ...