{"id":204132,"date":"2022-03-07T11:00:03","date_gmt":"2022-03-07T19:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=204132"},"modified":"2022-03-07T12:05:00","modified_gmt":"2022-03-07T20:05:00","slug":"las-vegas-video-shows-oksana-baiul-farina-crying-shouting-for-unity-for-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/las-vegas-video-shows-oksana-baiul-farina-crying-shouting-for-unity-for-ukraine\/","title":{"rendered":"Oksana Baiul-Farina Shown in Las Vegas Video Crying for Ukraine Unity"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

\"Oksana
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)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now married and using the name of Oksana Baiul-Farina<\/a>, she resides in Nevada. In 1994, she won a gold medal at the Olympics representing the then-newly independent nation of Ukraine<\/a>. She has stayed in touch with loved ones in Ukraine.<\/p>\n

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,\u201d<\/strong> Baiul-Farina told those gathered at city hall on Saturday.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

She also told the crowd she is \u201cso privileged\u201d to live in the US. \u201cBut you have to all understand — Ukraine is my land. It\u2019s where I come from. It\u2019s what I will always be, and I can\u2019t forget that,\u201d Baiul-Farina said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy heart is broken,\u201d<\/strong> Baiul-Farina further told the crowd. \u201cAnd it\u2019s with the people of Ukraine.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daughter Joins in Shouting for Ukraine<\/h2>\n

At one point, she introduced her young daughter, Sophia. The girl waved to the crowd. Later, she joined in the call, \u201cUnited we stand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Upon hearing her daughter repeating the rallying cry, Baiul-Farina picked up the girl. She held her in her arms.\u00a0At her mother\u2019s request, Sophia at a microphone once again repeated, \u201cUnited we stand.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

The crowd cheered. Then, Sophia led the crowd again in a cheer of \u201cUnited we stand.\u201d<\/p>\n

The crowd yelled it out again.<\/p>\n

Message to Ukrainian Troops<\/h2>\n

At the close of her remarks, Baiul-Farina offered a message to the Ukrainian soldiers:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are here with you. We\u2019re fighting for you. Please stay strong.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

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