Former Olympic Figure Skater Oksana Baiul Says Divorce Is a ‘Devastating Journey’ After Losing Custody of Daughter

Former Ukrainian Olympic skater Oksana Baiul shares her reaction to losing primary custody of her 10-year-old daughter, Sophia, to her ex-husband Carlo Farina.

On Monday, Jan. 5, Baiul, 48, and Farina settled their divorce. Farina was granted primary custody of Sophia and will be allowed to move from Louisiana to Las Vegas with the child, according to court documents previously obtained by PEOPLE.

The gold medalist spoke out following the custody agreement in a Facebook post on Monday, Jan. 5.

“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. As a mother,  I ask that you please respect our privacy at this time as we move forward building our new future…..,” the mother wrote alongside a photo of herself and Sophia at an ice rink.

The agreement also stated that if the former figure skater wants to see her daughter and Sophia agrees, Farina will make good-faith efforts to arrange 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.

On Christmas Day, Baiul posted a Facebook video sharing a glimpse of one of her sobriety chips, calling the accomplishment a “gift.”

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

The decision about their residences follows Baiul’s announcement in October that she was putting her Louisiana house up for sale and relocating out of state. At the time, Baiul said via social media that it was because she couldn’t find work.

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❤️‍🩹.”

According to CBS affiliate KSLA-TV in Shreveport, Baiul and her estranged husband Carlo Farina started divorce proceedings over the summer. The pair welcomed Sophia in June 2015, per a celebratory Facebook post marking her 9th birthday.

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