Team USA star Oksana Masters tells CNN she was made to cover up Ukrainian heart sticker on helmet at the Paralympics

Team USA star Oksana Masters says she was told by Paralympic officials that she needed to “cover up [her] Ukrainian heart stickers” before competing, the 19-time Paralympic medalist told CNN in an interview Friday.

Team USA star Oksana Masters says she was told by Paralympic officials that she needed to “cover up [her] Ukrainian heart stickers” before competing, the 19-time Paralympic medalist told CNN in an interview Friday. The Ukrainian-born para athlete told CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies that the alleged demand only gave her greater motivation to win. “It really fired me up,” she said. “It just was more fuel to the fire. Just because someone could cover up my sticker, it was not going to cover up my fire and that drive I had within me.” It’s unclear exactly why officials allegedly told Masters to cover the symbols. CNN has reached out to Paris 2024 Paralympic organizers for comment on the matter. Masters, a flag bearer for the US during the opening ceremony in Paris, went on to provide more detail on the situation. “It was just right at the start gate. There was nothing on it, it was just the shape of a heart. And it was just one of the officials at the start ramp, and I understand why,” Masters explained. “It was challenging because – as someone who was born in Ukraine, an American athlete and a US citizen – I feel like the power of the start line is representing all parts of you and where you come from.