A Promise Kept: The Oksana Baiul Story (1994)

A Promise Kept: The Oksana Baiul Story Poster

The 16-year-old Ukrainian figure skater (Monica Keena) overcomes personal tragedies to become the 1994 Olympic gold medalist.

Introduction
"A Guarantee Kept: The Oksana Baiul Story" is a biographical TV film from 1994, directed by Charles Jarrott. It's a touching, inspiring story about the life of Oksana Baiul, a popular Ukrainian figure skater who conquered tremendous individual tragedies and challenges to become an Olympic Champion.

Early Life
The film begins by portraying Oksana's early life in Ukraine. Raised by her mother and grandparents, her dad was absent for much of her youth. Oksana's natural skill for figure skating was recognized early on, and she began training at a very young age. However, her life was marred by considerable hardship and catastrophe. Her moms and dads separated when she was just 2 years of ages, and she was raised by her mother and grandfather-- both of whom passed away while she was still young.

Career Beginnings
Regardless of her personal catastrophes, Oksana was profoundly committed to her training and continued to stand out as a figure skater. With the support of her coach Galina Zmievskaya, whom she passionately referred to as her "second mother", Oksana started to seriously pursue her imagine becoming an Olympic champion. The movie offers deep insight into her journey - the many hours of training, the strenuous discipline, and the physical stress requiring expert skating put on her as a girl.

Pathway to the Olympics
As Oksana reached her teens, her talent started to shine on the global stage. However, her path to ending up being a world champion was marred by financial problems and societal discontent in her home nation. Nonetheless, her unwavering spirit and decision to satisfy her Olympic dream was not discouraged. The movie catches the trials and adversities she faced in the lead approximately her historical success.

Olympic Victory
In 1994, Oksana won the gold medal at the Lillehammer Winter Olympics for Ladies' Singles Figuring Skating, making her the very first and the youngest to do so for Ukraine. This win forms a climactic point of the movie, showing how Oksana embodied durability, talent, and audacity in her strife towards becoming one of the world's most popular figure skaters at simply 16.

Life Afterwards
The movie then proceeds to uncover Oksana's life after her victory. She moved to the United States where, regardless of dealing with various personal challenges, consisting of concerns with alcohol, she handled to maintain her career durability. Her life is profoundly marked by her early tragedies, her victorious successes, and her unyielding spirit.

Conclusion

"A Promise Kept: The Oksana Baiul Story" is a testament to the strength and determination of a young professional athlete confronted with extraordinary circumstances. It depicts Oksana's journey from an impoverished kid in Ukraine to an Olympic Champion, providing valuable insights into the grit, determination, and ruthless devotion needed to break limits and achieve success. Throughout, the film remains deeply interesting and inspiringly human, painting a respectful picture of Oksana's individual battles and expert triumphs.

Top Cast

  • Miguel Ferrer (small)
    Miguel Ferrer
    Stanislav
  • Monica Keena (small)
    Monica Keena
    Oksana Baiul
  • Susanna Thompson (small)
    Susanna Thompson
    Marina Baiul
  • Leeza Vinnichenko
    Granmother
  • Phillip G. Kellams
    Nickolai
  • Oksana Baiul (small)
    Oksana Baiul
    Self
  • Kate Rogal (small)
    Kate Rogal
    Galya
  • Damien Luvara
    Yuri as a teenager
  • William Cameron
    Newsman
  • Rick Applegate (small)
    Rick Applegate
    Olympic Reporter
  • Harold Surratt (small)
    Harold Surratt
    Commentator