Why Figure Skating Legend Oksana Baiul Is Suddenly Trending—Inside Her Surprise Comeback

Ukrainian figure-skating icon Oksana Baiul is back in the headlines after a family-court ruling granted sole custody of her 11-year-old daughter, Sophia, to ex-husband Carlo Farina—a decision that the 1994 Olympic champion calls “devastating but not defeating.” In a heartfelt Instagram post, Baiul thanked supporters and signaled that she plans to appeal, writing that she “will never stop fighting for my child.” The message follows reports confirming that the couple’s drawn-out divorce was finalized last fall, with the court also ordering anger-management classes and restrictions on the skater’s relocation rights. The custody battle has reignited public interest in Baiul’s turbulent post-Olympic journey, which has included highly publicized struggles with injuries, alcohol dependence and multiple comeback attempts. Now 48, the “Swan of Odessa” maintains that she is sober, healthy and preparing a coaching project aimed at Ukrainian war-refugee skaters living in Europe—an initiative she says will honor her homeland’s resilience. A Fresh Spotlight Ahead of Milano-Cortina 2026 Baiul’s resurgence coincides with renewed nostalgia for the 1994 Lillehammer Games as figure-skating fans count down to the next Winter Olympics. The New York Times recently reunited Baiul, Nancy Kerrigan and China’s Chen Lu for an oral history of their dramatic podium photo, generating viral chatter and fresh appreciation for the teenager who delivered Ukraine’s first and only Winter gold. Hours after the feature dropped, Baiul shared the link with a simple “Thank you @nytimes ❤️” on social media, sparking a wave of supportive comments that helped push her name into trending territory. What the Ruling Means Legal analysts note that the January order allows Farina, an Italian-American event producer, to relocate Sophia to New Jersey, while Baiul—who lives primarily in Las Vegas—must obtain permission for any out-of-state visits. The court cited “communication breakdown” between the parents and past domestic-disturbance calls in mandating anger-management classes for both parties. Baiul contends the evidence was “taken out of context” and vows to file a motion for joint custody once she completes the program. Fans Rally Around a Skating Legend Support for Baiul has poured in from the global figure-skating community. Olympic historian Phil Hersh tweeted that “regardless of personal setbacks, Baiul’s 1994 free skate remains one of the sport’s defining moments,” while Ukrainian federation officials say they are exploring ways to involve her in Milano-Cortina ceremonial events. Several retired athletes, including Surya Bonaly and Sasha Cohen, have offered public words of encouragement, framing Baiul’s fight as emblematic of broader challenges faced by women balancing elite sports legacies with parenting. What’s Next According to court documents, Baiul’s first custody review hearing is scheduled for early May. In the meantime, she is slated to appear on multiple talk shows to discuss both the ruling and her forthcoming memoir, tentatively titled “Swan Song.” Publishers confirm the book will blend childhood memories of war-torn Dnipro with behind-the-scenes stories from Lillehammer and her ongoing sobriety journey. SEO takeaway: With a custody appeal looming, a milestone Olympic anniversary trending and Milano-Cortina storylines building, Oksana Baiul’s name is once again commanding global search interest. Expect more developments—and likely more viral moments—as the skating legend writes her next chapter.