Oksana Baiul (SP, 1994 Olympics)

Oksana Baiul's SP in 1994 Olympics

[@VeronaNight]

Breathtakingly GORGEOUS!!! I could cry right now. Ah, the memories... The grace, the ellegance, the flawlessness...

[@ferdyspears]

17 Years later and stil no one can touch this. No one in our lifetimes will be able to express artistry the way this singular performance did. Regardless of whether you like oksana or think she stole a medal from nancy kerrigan doesn't matter. What does is that this little girl is breathtaking here and its mastery is unrivaled. This is why sport exist!

[@courtneysara]

So beautiful! I love the pieces of the ballet she chose and her arms and expression! Love love love it!!!

[@NashfanVash]

I loved Oksana's skating from age 15 to 18. This SP is one of the greatest of all times, IMO. I was lucky enough to see her perform it live at skate America in 1993, and she was just 15 then. She was an amazing skater/artist.

[@dbenmil]

I loooooove the music, love the fact that it keeps changing, there are like 4 songs in there. I still remember this performance, I've watched tons of skating performances since I was a kid and her were always my favourit.

[@faeryquene]

I'm just glad the scoring standards of the time allowed for Baiul to place second and contend for the Olympic gold medal. I so wanted her to win-and she did! Nancy had lovely moments, superior jumps, etc. but Oksana was enchanting, her performances magical, a Ukrainian Fairy out there. I remember even President Bill Clinton thought Oksana was better when asked lol!! I imagine alot of less informed viewers who don't know much about figure skating thought the same based on her performance quality.

[@mom232000]

IMO, this is the BEST ladies short program in the Olympics EVER and I have been watching since 1980!!!

[@SLuMberMoOn7]

wow she had such a speed and grace..very powerful performance in this one...wow...not even the women figure skaters today can achieve this much grace and speed at the same time like she has..that's a fact for sure!

[@grandma.p]

Very beautiful performance.

[@macerface]

she is SO fast and her jumps are huge. wow. so impressive. beautiful.

[@dbenmil]

She was a real little ballerina on skates back then, no one could come close to her uniquely sensitive, elegant and graceful skating. She was, is and always will be my all-time favourit skater as she left us with great memories. Best figure skating performance ever in my eyes was her arabic routine.

[@beckylink]

her skating is so beautiful that it is truly an art in the highest form, not just athletics with the "artistic" thrown in. It's so beautiful that it just makes me weep. she skates from her heart and touches everybody else's. I agree, this is completely unparalleled and always will be.

[@dbenmil]

She is my all-time favourit skater. I loved her to death growing up and watched all her performances. She is such a "special skater" with a unique style which is unmatched by any other skater in the world!

[@bendonna]

yes I agree. I havent seen this in a while....you light up and become happy watching her, she is stunning and so creative, and this short program was amazing, it makes you forget the two foot landing, and Nancy was great technically.

[@koolaidnhemlock]

love her smile throughout the program. she was so excited and happy, great to see.

[@javiviskater]

incredibleee....no words...she is the best! great sportist and better artist!!!!!!!!!!! my life stop when i saw it,,, only enjoyed

[@irinazh9278]

Она просто невероятна! Это лучшее выступление по фигурному катанию, из всех что я видела.

[@hbruins85]

THE most amazing skater I ever saw. Never since Oksana have I seen someone grasp the hearts of the audience with her grace and radiant smile. Learning about her challenging background made me root for her all the more---she was practicing on melting ice. My compatriots Shizuka Arakawa and Mao Asada may have more skill and finesse---but what is performing arts without tugging at the heart? I will never forget how she broke into tears at hearing the final---and well-deserved---result.

[@Floatie114]

This is the first time I've seen this since I saw it live in 1994. I've watched a lot of skating in my life, but only a few performances just stick with you. This is one of them.

[@gloss26]

No one could touch her... even today. The greatest jewel skating has ever known, like her or not. And I LOVE her. ;O)

[@anniebhier]

That's a winning smile at 3:22! Great program - love her signature headwear/tiaras. I remember the commentators saying that the teenage Oksana had a soft spot for ballet - and it showed. Amazing virtuosic performance - one of my faves.

[@fazz3173]

You can see the passion in her eyes,, It's like she will never get tired doing..If the music didn't stop she might dance forever..

[@Ulydf]

I love this program, anda I miss to see skaters as her, she had a lot of qualities she has cahrisma and talent, this is one of my favorite programs ever...

[@johnkim100530]

Oksana's swan dance is superb. Worthy of the gold medal.

[@divaexpatriate]

I totally agree. And no one else could have pulled that off so convincingly. An absolute prima ballerina assoluta on the ice.

[@MrCoffeefreak2010]

tears to my eyes it was beautiful performance

[@uwoeric]

Her technique is far from perfect, but she has such presence, artistry, style, and STAR power on the ice that when she's out there it's no longer a sport, it's an art. This also is my fav SP of all time, I've watched it so many times and I never get sick of it. Gorgeous!

[@dbenmil]

She's such a delicate and elegant figure skater! My all-time favourit figure skater!!!!

[@dizneegirl76]

Who on earth could give this performance a thumbs down?

[@dueroden]

Here here!! Oksana's skating puts you in a trance. I thought Nancy's SP rocked that night as well, but she doesn't hold a candle to Oksana's artistry.

[@cehaddunebuggy3899]

A great performance.

[@emorrisIV]

I have watched figure skating for many years and I have never seen,before or since ANYONE that could rival this performance. Watch her hands! She skated a ballet, not a routine. She didn't look like a skater making nonsensical steps between jumps.She danced the ballet! She uses her hands like a ballerina, she gestures like a ballerina, the program had line and emotion of the music. Not just a bunch of jumps connected by nonsense. Oksana has never been equaled.

[@appyguy]

Even though Oksana was the Queen of two-footed landings.. This is still one of my all-time favorite short programs...Classic!

[@girlygirlx0]

i dont think i've cried so much when i watched the movie based on her life. i couldnt imagine being an orphan and homeless. she truly overcame the odds!

[@Maybebluechels]

She totally deserved first in the SP over Nancy. I'm so glad that Oksana won the gold in the end ^^

[@Shakeshack78]

She didn't steal anything from Nancy! An American here to say, "Oksana was better than Nancy at these games," plain & simple!

[@plumeria66]

A true ballerina on ice. She is no robot cranking out every jump and move to score points. She is living and breathing artistry itself.

[@faeryquene]

@dsrtflwr I was enchanted by Oksana the moment I saw her at '93 Euros. She was magical and I was so happy she won the Olympics. I didn't like Kerrigan anyway. If she hadn't bombed '93 Worlds there would have been 3 slots open at the Olympics not just 2.

[@jneff23]

She skates like an angel!

[@VeronaNight]

U got that right!!! I actually cry toward the end of the LP and burst into tears just as she does in the kiss-n-cry area when she realizes she's the new Olympic Champion. What an athelete, what a story, what a shame, in the end.

[@lisasimpson29]

Waooo Beauiful,wonderful,Great!!I love Oksana.

[@Gitsie007]

She has to be one of the best skaters I have ever seen...

[@BelovedBitterSea]

Oksana Baiul is easily one of my favorite skaters of all time and she always will be. I don't think anyone can doubt her artistry. But jumps were always her weakness. Figure skating is about both technical and performance quality, so I think it would be a real contest between her and the current skaters. That being said, I sometimes feel like the scoring (both old and new) is little better than mathematical voodoo. :P

[@MaddyAgAnny]

GORGEOUS!

[@LAGUNAFLIPSTA]

She amazes me because she is so light on her feet.

[@Zenoah1]

I remember watching this ..she was brilliant .. and I think what made it even more exciting was the fact she came out of no where.. and it was like watching the ugly duckling turn into a swan.. Nancy had been talked about soo much and what happened with Tanya .. it just made Oksana's win that much sweeter. ( and no I dont think Oksana is ugly in any way.. just a comparison of the amount of awe..which took place.) She deserved it ..

[@yellowbanana104]

she looked like a ballerina in here, as any russians are. (though i don' t think she is a russian, i think she had very similar qualities) that's the reason why i love her so much. having the most difficult jumps isn't the most important if your artistry is not excellent enough in this sport indeed. that's how she won the olympics.

[@liuhuajj]

I like her smile when jumps are clean!

[@maracuyaicecream]

Beautiful!

[@Gina10179202]

Wow, I love her jumps! She has such a presence. The only thing I dislike about her is her crossovers, but I am picky with my crossovers!

[@Kokokittylove]

I just love her speed.

[@MorganoftheFaeries]

She's absolutely stunning. I don't know much about ice skating, but I can appreciate it. (But the ballet dancer in me wishes she hadn't rearranged the music!) :D

[@itzjoeymac]

I remember watching this live and thinking this is the most beautiful performance I have ever seen. Sorry Nancy... You're gonna lose ;-)

[@shineluvslambiel]

Baiul is still the most stunning female skater I have seen.......

[@DTM1864]

Very few have looked this good on the ice. Even Oksana herself stopped looking this good when she got older.

[@breezyvibe]

Perfect and charming!!

[@wukalar76]

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[@adamo29]

Wouldn't it have been amazing if she had decided to extend the Swan Lake idea through to the LP! The Broadway thing didn't do her justice really, although the slow section (to 'Somewhere') is exquisite.

[@Born2Flesh]

She was more than the "real deal". Oksana was the "Ideal". She had it all. More like a Prima Ballerina on ice. The total package.

[@maracuyaicecream]

OMG really really beautiful, just Art on ice.....

[@hilljacknutjob]

THE short program of the century.

[@nodoubtgarbagehole]

oh por Dios, excelente, increíble

[@vistaprime]

she vastly improved her crossovers over the years. no bounce.

[@ContrastY]

stunning, a real pro

[@espinaca79]

Yes, it is definetely one of the best SP programs ever done in the history of the sport. What a contrast with her LP because that had nothing to do with this masterpiece.

[@goretti.fernandes]

SOU APAIXONADA POR PATINAÇÃO O GELO!! SONHO QUE NUNCA SERÁ REALIZADO INFELIZMENTE, ESTANDO NO BRASIL FICA DIFÍCIL.

[@tanyamanson78]

gorgeous!

[@Belle0308]

Awesome way to put it! I thought that Plushenko's performance lacked fire. It was maybe technically spot on, but I feel you need both.

[@npe1]

@Imogence Yes, back then the rules for the short were different to now. The double flip was a set jump and had to be performed. It was only towards the end of the 90's/early 2000's that the rules were changed to allow an optional jump on its own not in combination. Likewise back then one of the jumps in the combo was specified, this year (1994) it was double toe loop. The rules were less flexible then.

[@seruleane]

Oksana owns the ice. Yes, other skaters have had better technique, but she is truly an artist and performer. I think her short program is the closest to perfection I have ever seen. It's a shame she no longer skates at that level, but like I said, she is still a captivating performer.

[@lowdaisy1]

i love her smile at 1:58

[@sk8412c]

The double axel at 1:40 is beautiful too

[@taurus0423]

I don't think that many skaters can better this particular program by Oksana. She was at her best in 1994, and continued to get better through about 1996, I think, before she got side-tracked with her problems.

[@itzjoeymac]

Have the best triple jumpers ever looked so graceful?

[@BunnieofWrath]

Her costume is that of Odile. That and if I can hear the music correctly it's Odile's Variation. Never said Oksana was a pretender, just dressed as one.

[@itzjoeymac]

Watched the 30 for 30 about Nancy and Tonya the other night and despite Nancy's great performance in the Olympics I still say Oksana was better.

[@itzjoeymac]

Beautiful. I'm an American but I had to concede defeat to Oksana.

[@arharris04]

phenominal athlete

[@adamo29]

All of the 'inbetweens' are superior to Kerrigan. She also covers the ice faster, although that can be difficult to tell on tv. I really liked Kerrigan's sp but the way Oksana uses her body to create perfect shapes was unique in this competition. There is also far greater innate musicality. I wouldn't have minded for a second if Baiul has won this SP event.

[@bredebo100]

I

[@Belle0308]

I completely agree.

[@agasays]

Shes my fav.

[@gadalin58]

i like verry much oxana..

[@faeryquene]

I would have dinged her for the two-foot landing on the lutz-and given her straight 6.0's. for artistic impression. I would have given Kerrigan higher technical marks and given her about 5.4-5.5 for artistic impression because she was no where in the same league as Oksana artistically.

[@marianagueroable]

perfect

[@doctorsoandso]

man she rocks my face!!!!!

[@JUNGLEJIMY123]

Even though she double footed the triple toe this was a spectacular performance ...

[@airlinetraveller]

Spot on comment! :)

[@Zuranthium]

Both of her performances at the 1993 Worlds were better. In fact, her short program in 1993 is one of the best I've ever seen. It's crazy that her long program was built with 5 Triples, none of which are in combination. She should have received absolutely no higher than a 5.6 for the technical marking with that kind of routine.

[@Bnizzofashizzo]

In a class by itself

[@geoboe84]

Her skating style is pretty reminiscent of Sasha Cohen's especially the linking footwork and step sequences.

[@BunnieofWrath]

Odile from Swan Lake...nice touch seeing as her other ones were Odette

[@bendonna]

easy to say now, judges didnt have instant replay back then, and didnt have CBS showing the two foot landings. They were not as obvious live and from the angle the judges were sitting.

[@saifulizhan]

i don't watch ice skating but I remember her

[@divaexpatriate]

As Dick Button said, she is and can be, one of the great skaters of all time.

[@faeryquene]

@geoboe84 It's actually the other way around since Baiul came first-Sasha Cohen's skating style was reminiscent of Oksana Baiul's.

[@roksaan]

Interestingly, one of the judges who favored Oksana was in a situation similar to hers when he was a competitor, but dropped a place down due to the lower artistic scores given him. So the 94 Olympics was his chance to "bring justice" and vote for Nancy! But he didn't. It's the artistic score that broke the tie.

[@uwoeric]

Hehe I know what you meant. Whatever she was trying to do, she did it beautifully :).

[@faeryquene]

@bbtantan Here is one time I think Kerrigan won fair and square over Baiul-Nancy didn't double foot her combo and her artistry was elegant, very good if not the same 'performance' quality as Oksana. I'm just happy Oksana won overall.

[@faeryquene]

I didn't even know there were 3 Americans at that years Worlds-and I thought under that system the ladies who medalled got 3 spots for their countries. That was my understanding at the time-and that later they came up with the system where the skaters had to total 13.