Olympian Oksana Baiul Says She Didn’t Have a ‘Choice’ in Losing Custody of Her 12-Year-Old Daughter Sophia

Kayla GrantWed, November 11, 2026 at 11:21 PM UTC

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Oksana Baiul in 2010; Oksana Baiul, Carlo J Farina and their daughter in 2017.Credit: Eugene Gologursky/WireImage; Denise Truscello/WireImage -

Oksana Baiul claims she didn’t have a choice in losing custody of her daughter

On Wednesday, Nov. 11, the former Olympic skater shared a screenshot of an article headline that said she gave up custody of her 12-year-old daughter Sophia on her Instagram

In the caption, she tagged her ex-husband Carlo Farina and claimed that she didn’t have a choice in the situation

Oksana Baiul claims she didn’t have a choice in losing custody of her daughter.

On Wednesday, Nov. 11, the former Olympic skater, 48, shared a screenshot of an article headline that said she gave up custody of her 12-year-old daughter Sophia on Instagram. In the caption, she tagged her ex-husband Carlo Farina and claimed that she didn’t have a choice in the situation.

“@carlojfarina u knew I didn’t had a choice ! Please make a move from Louisiana as pleasant as possible 🙏🏻,” she wrote.

According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE in January, Baiul and Farina settled their divorce after ending their marriage of 13 years. Farina was granted primary custody of Sophia and was allowed to move to Las Vegas from Louisiana with her.

If the former Olympian wishes to see her daughter and Sophia agrees to it, then Farina will make good-faith efforts to set up the visit, per the documents. Baiul also agreed to enlist in anger management classes and be tested for drugs and alcohol in an effort to ensure she remains sober.

Baiul and Farina agreed that the former professional athlete will not have to pay child support, and neither will pay spousal support in the interim. The parties were required to list a home in Louisiana, and Baiul may live in another home they owned together for some time.

Following the custody agreement news, the gold medalist spoke out through a Facebook post.

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“As I’m sure anyone who has ever been through a separation or divorce knows, it is a lengthy and often devastating journey,” she began.

“Divorce is hard enough, but when there is a child involved they must be the priority,” she wrote alongside a photo of herself and Sophia at an ice rink. “As a mother,  I ask that you please respect our privacy at this time as we move forward building our new future…..”

Oksana Baiul, Carlo J Farina and their daughter arrive at “WOW - WORLD OF WONDER” premiere at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino on October 7, 2017 in Las Vegas.Credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage

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Months earlier, in August, Baiul announced their divorce, stating on Facebook, “My husband and I are divorcing 🙏🏻. I am asking for prayers, and I am praying for @sophiabaiulfarina.” She added, “#sobriety 💕, in Gods hands know thank you for this lesson❤️‍🩹.”

Baiul and Farina started divorce proceedings in the summer of 2025, according to CBS affiliate KSLA-TV in Shreveport, La. The pair welcomed Sophia in June 2015, per a celebratory Facebook post marking her 9th birthday.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”